With Neate and Nishikawa a further layer of otherworldliness is formed from the act of turning the paper or board while working, producing an ambiguity to its orientation. In the case of o2o the words are from languages we recognise, whereas in Nishikawa’s work it is predominantly an unidentifiable script. They are predominantly monochrome, which Nishikawa describes as “conducive to maintaining a rhythmic flow.” Neate compares the diaphanous gossamers of fine lines surrounding mysterious faces to residual energy from people before us, “like souls sewn in the mesh of time.” Other examples have monolithic shapes or primordial creatures, occasionally embedded with geometric symbols and text. Their drawings depict a connection, harness and release of an energy in the form of an image that is succinctly described by Neate as “part of an eternal memory of which the act of drawing unlocks so that it can appear in the world.”Ĭommon characteristics are evident among the artworks in this exhibition. Through the humble pen or pencil, they are able to render the invisible as a mesmerising reality and capture on paper these ethereal images and fleeting thoughts in an art form that is more than mere creative skill and imagination. It is as if they have connected to a higher force or dipped into a deep universal well of consciousness that is beyond the reach of most people. Subconscious thoughts, memories, souls and spirits draw closer and flow through the conscious mind of the artists with a mysterious force that often feels to them like they are being guided in some way by an unknown entity. It is as if a veil is briefly lifted or a portal has opened to another level of time and space, a parallel dimension within us or around us. He also continues his search for the perfect chair in which to work, whilst Ahmadi found his treasured seat abandoned in a parking lot.ĭrawing is an essential part of the lives of these four artists who begin by establishing a meditative or trancelike concentration that o2o describes as being “out of myself.” Here, real time fades out of focus as they become absorbed in their creativity, and without a preconceived idea of the outcome, their pens glide effortlessly and automatically across the paper. Neate’s pen, for example, will not flow if he is distracted, causing the lines to become heavier. The mood is an important aspect for these artists. Ahmadi uses a candle to alter the light around him, whilst Neate occasionally looks at the flickering and muted television screen showing old British movies that remind him of the past. For the majority, music is often instrumental to the creative process, as is a quiet space without distraction. Over time these kindred spirits have all found ways of working that are favourable to their act of mark making. For others, like Nishikawa, this skill came later through the act of doodling. He discovered his clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities, along with the skill to create, at a young age. Some of this development has taken years, like o2o, whose name symbolises eternal learning or wisdom. Each has a deep understanding of the other’s ups and downs encountered in the development of this unusual artistic process. The irrepressible urge to draw, accompanied by experiences of a spiritual or psychic nature, forms a harmonious bond between the artists. (See THE COMMITTEE: TAXATION WITH REPRESENTATION for availability.Kindred Spirits presents drawings by four artists whose works possess a numinous energy and compelling beauty. Visually intriguing, and featuring an excellent musical soundtrack, Nigerian Art-Kindred Spirits is highly recommended. In addition to the artists themselves, the program interviews local art historians who place specific contributions within the context of Nigerian art as a whole. Viewers see the making of gorgeous clothes by textile artist Nike Ben Enwonwu's provocative sculptures which draw on the prevalence of masquerades in Nigeria and belief in the supernatural (he learned to draw by using a broomstick on sand) the motorized artwork of Sokari Douglas Kamp, who evokes traditional themes and motifs through scrap metal sculpture and the paintings of Ono Brakpeya, which draw on Nigerian influence but address environmental concerns. Actress Ruby Dee narrates this survey of the contemporary art scene in Nigeria which is comprised of a number of disparate threads yet shares a common heritage. For the artist, the chainsaw and the fire symbolize colonialism. El Anatsui, Nigerian artist, takes a chainsaw and fire to pieces of wood, and then arranges the transformed pieces into striking patterns.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |