The soft, spring blossom is blown to shreds. A relentless wind tears through the trees and on the harbour, whitecaps charge for the shore. I'm sitting cozy here with the scene and its soundtrack restrained beyond the windows today.
Its been a while since I have written here as I have been occupied writing other things; Artist Statements and the like for a couple of exhibitions my work will be included in. I quite like the process of writing about my art, I like the distillation that occurs as I edit out all the unnecessary words and thoughts from a paragraph. It is a slow process to condense my ideas to their essence, to a nice concise, bite size summary. Something suitable for a passing viewer to read before their attention moves to something else. Its a satisfying journey too, it draws me back into the creative process all over again.
Its an act of faith to edit out much of what I
could say about a particular artwork. I have faith that some people at least will
get it, despite what I dont explain in detail.
For me much of the enjoyment of looking at an artwork is in its interpretation, what do
I think its about? By leaving the final decision up to the viewer, the viewer can take ownership of its meaning, they become part of the creative process. An artist statement can help enrich your interpretation of an artwork. I try to provide an opening for the viewer; a way in from which if you choose to, you can discover more.
Susan posted a video of
Squeak Carnworth talking about her work and the part that resonated most with me was when she said
"When people look at my work they should bring themselves, and they should pay attention to what their inner voice says and what intuitive leaps they have, what does it remind them of? There's no right answer."
I hope people will
bring themselves to my artwork.
"The Young Brave" was accepted for the
North Shore City Art Awards, the exhibition opens in three days.
The Young Brave presents the story of Jack, who at about the age of twelve in 1929 was given an adventure novel, The Long Trail Boys at Sweet Water Ranch, the Mystery of White Shadow. Set in a North American context, it is an idealised story of friendship, adventure and heroism between the ‘native’ White Shadow and a group of boys. The tale is far removed from the reality of childhood experiences in nineteen thirties New Zealand. Ten years after Jack received the book New Zealand entered the Second World War and he was to face a quite different version of adventure and heroism; that experienced in battle. As an artist I am interested in the relationship between objects and stories. I collect and re-present objects which connect with my memories, or the collective memories of a group or place. A mnemonic object is a memory keeper. It grants access to moments and emotions long since passed and otherwise ephemeral. Can the potency of a mnemonic object outlast its creator?
I am now well underway with a couple of new pieces for the Deco Echo Exhibition at the NZ Academy of Fine Arts. My theme (self imposed) is afternoon tea, an extension of the teacup series. I spent ages searching for some vintage hand written recipes to incorporate into these artworks, I'll give you a glimpse of my progress with them soon.
I am now well underway with a couple of new pieces for the Deco Echo Exhibition at the NZ Academy of Fine Arts. My theme (self imposed) is afternoon tea, an extension of the teacup series. I spent ages searching for some vintage hand written recipes to incorporate into these artworks, I'll give you a glimpse of my progress with them soon.
