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''The recent violence he represents, come to be
emotional simplicity'', James Bellaney (Mint Gallery) 8 Feburary 2013.
Maori cosmology provides the spark of inspiration for a series of abstract works by James Bellaney at Mint Gallery.
The protagonists of the Maori creation myth are the earth and sky, Papatuanuku and Ranginui, pushed apart by their son Tane, along with Tawhirimatea, the weather god, whose constant winds are evidence of his anger at what his brother Tane has done. Hine-nui-te-po, goddess of the underworld and sunset is also evoked in these paintings.
The mixed-media pieces, which have watercolour as a main element, use an effective limited palette of earth tones, blacks, and whites. Highlighted elements in bright red provide some needed colour to the works. These are colours which reflect both the mud and stone of newly-formed earth and the traditional colours of pre-colonial Maori art. A constant element in the works is the circle, its strong, complete form indicating the cycle of life and of karma, and also of the oneness of all creation.
An aleatory element has been introduce to the works by means of using a cut-up technique to arrive at the titles of the paintings and of the exhibition itself. In this way, viewers can read into the titles whatever they wish, potentially colouring their views of the works' natures.
by James Dignan
published in the Otago Daily times. 14 February
http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/arts/245637/art-seen
My artist statement for the show.
Maori cosmology provides the spark of inspiration for a series of abstract works by James Bellaney at Mint Gallery.
The protagonists of the Maori creation myth are the earth and sky, Papatuanuku and Ranginui, pushed apart by their son Tane, along with Tawhirimatea, the weather god, whose constant winds are evidence of his anger at what his brother Tane has done. Hine-nui-te-po, goddess of the underworld and sunset is also evoked in these paintings.
The mixed-media pieces, which have watercolour as a main element, use an effective limited palette of earth tones, blacks, and whites. Highlighted elements in bright red provide some needed colour to the works. These are colours which reflect both the mud and stone of newly-formed earth and the traditional colours of pre-colonial Maori art. A constant element in the works is the circle, its strong, complete form indicating the cycle of life and of karma, and also of the oneness of all creation.
An aleatory element has been introduce to the works by means of using a cut-up technique to arrive at the titles of the paintings and of the exhibition itself. In this way, viewers can read into the titles whatever they wish, potentially colouring their views of the works' natures.
by James Dignan
published in the Otago Daily times. 14 February
http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/arts/245637/art-seen
My artist statement for the show.
The recent violence he represents, come to be emotional simplicty.
I love the process of the painting with watercolors, the reaction of the medium together with the surface. Watercolour forbids me to claim anything as a mistake. Every organic mark made on the page reveals a history, evolving into a finished work that is raw and visceral. Patience and acceptance is itself an imrpotant part of the process.
The title of this body of work was discovered through the process of cut up words from a random art article, shuffled and simplified.
With the colours I want to emthasize time and earthly elements such as earth, water, wind and bone. Reflecting the emotional content of Patatuanuku and connecting the personal potential inspired by the hidden, dark inner worlds. These are places not only of death but also of beginning. They are places of refuge for 'Hine Nui Te Po', (Goddess of the underworld) who resides in shame, and 'Tahwhiamatea'(God of the weather) who bears a constant grudge against his brothers. Also Tane, who split the Mother and Father allowing light and revealing all. I am also inspired by Dante's Inferno and his descent into the underworld.
By James Bellaney
Artist
I love the process of the painting with watercolors, the reaction of the medium together with the surface. Watercolour forbids me to claim anything as a mistake. Every organic mark made on the page reveals a history, evolving into a finished work that is raw and visceral. Patience and acceptance is itself an imrpotant part of the process.
The title of this body of work was discovered through the process of cut up words from a random art article, shuffled and simplified.
With the colours I want to emthasize time and earthly elements such as earth, water, wind and bone. Reflecting the emotional content of Patatuanuku and connecting the personal potential inspired by the hidden, dark inner worlds. These are places not only of death but also of beginning. They are places of refuge for 'Hine Nui Te Po', (Goddess of the underworld) who resides in shame, and 'Tahwhiamatea'(God of the weather) who bears a constant grudge against his brothers. Also Tane, who split the Mother and Father allowing light and revealing all. I am also inspired by Dante's Inferno and his descent into the underworld.
By James Bellaney
Artist
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