Piera McArthur: Love is in the Air, says Aphrodite

Love is in the air, says Aphrodite As the American wit says

“Love doesn’t make the world go round… but it’s what makes the ride worthwhile!”

The Ancients with their love of storytelling were experts at the personification of psychological phenomena and aspects of the physical world. Atropos, one of the fates, will snip the thread of life at the appropriate moment, and Charon the ferryman will convey us to Hades where Pluto reigns supreme, God of the Underworld.

Piera McArthur in her studio.

I imagine it must be much more cheerful up above, where, to the delight of the waiting populace, Aphrodite has leapt out of the sea foam and headed for shore. Now we see the extent of her activity and the despair, uncertainty, ecstasy and exhaustion she can cause among humankind with all their pathos, vanity, egotism and idiocies. What of the wicked seducer hissing words from under the parasol to the beach beauty? Will the show-off water skier manage to cut him out? And is all really fair in love and war? The fact is we long to be loved and to love!!! So meditate with me on some of these matters.

Simply to use paint with all its magic would certainly be reward enough, but to have a theme makes a venture like the painting of this series exceedingly exciting. We are in a world of symbols, which can be viewed for their purely narrative effect, enjoying the line, colour, clarity, balance and whatever enters the viewer’s head.

I am sometimes accused of being a caricaturist. I can only say that I do indeed take an optimistic view of life, but remember that as Socrates tells us,“everything has an opposite, and that joy is coupled with sorrow.”

Yet each painting has its own handwritten description, largely tongue in cheek, words chosen carefully and like a key to unlock the deeper meaning of the work, for in fact, on a more serious level, we are passing humanity in review, at the same time as we examine Aphrodite’s activity among us. A bemused yellow cow looks up to see lovers float by on Cloud Nine, totally self-absorbed victims of the irresistible chemical attraction of True Love. For Love is in the air, and mankind is longing to possess it.

Dare I quote you a soul boosting comment from Douglas MacDiarmid, when I sent him a couple of images of the show

(Illustrated on cover) Aphrodite Arrives on her Shell Acrylic on canvas 91 x 136 cm

And please, never forget that I am a painter, using paint and honouring the god-given gift by endless striving.

“Your colours grow more luminous and fresher each time. Frankly miraculous!!!”

Aphrodite Leaps from the Sea Foam, Radiant Acrylic on canvas 137 x 112 cm

The Red Parasol Acrylic on canvas 137 x 92 cm

The Painter Waves Her Brush Acrylic on canvas 182 x 137 cm

Strange Portents in the Sky Acrylic on canvas 137 x 102 cm

Yellow Cow Looks up at Lovers on Cloud Nine Acrylic on canvas 168 x 122 cm

Handel’s Music for Aphrodite Acrylic on canvas 137 x 92 cm

Music - The Language of Love Acrylic on canvas 55 x 70 cm

Vain Beauties Flaunt their Charms Acrylic on canvas 55 x 70 cm

Aphrodite Takes Time Out Acrylic on canvas 76 x 107 cm

Lovelorn Maiden in a Landscape Acrylic on canvas 55 x 70 cm

How Did She Come Ashore?

Acrylic on canvas 112 x 122 cm

You May Kiss the Bride Acrylic on canvas 97 x 70 cm Amor Vincit Omnia Acrylic on canvas 101 x 112 cm

Anxious Bride has Second Thoughts Acrylic on canvas 107 x 76 cm

Bride Sallies Forth Acrylic on canvas 107 x 76 cm

At Least we got one Married Off! Acrylic on paper 56 x 76 cm

Great Agitation - Has Aphrodite Really Landed?

Acrylic on paper 56 x 76 cm

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love was Born of the Sea Foam Acrylic on paper 76 x 56 cm

Smartening Up for the Wedding - We Owe it to our Daughter!

Acrylic on paper 56 x 76 cm

A Garden unfurling its Glory for the Love of Aphrodite Acrylic on canvas 137 x 112 cm

Poppies in a Windswept Garden Acrylic on canvas 137 x 112 cm

Jonathan Grant Galleries 280 Parnell Road PO Box 37 673 Parnell Auckland New Zealand Tel: (64-9) 308 9125 E-Mail: info@jgg.co.nz

www.JGG.co.nz

Finished Art Ltd 4.2016

Crowd Gathering Expectantly Acrylic on canvas 76 x 107 cm