THURSDAY, NOV 02 SATURDAY, NOV 18, 2023
CONTEMPORARY VERNACULAR Exploring themes, mediums and motifs in contemporary Jamaican art.
Featuring: Madison Addington Tashane Bailey Suelyn Choo DVALD - Dianne Val Douglas Dwayne Grant Suzanna Missenberger Rashleigh Morris Tajae Pringle Kevarney K.R. Anthony Smith (Taoszen)
At The Olympia Gallery 202 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6. www.theolympiagallery.com email: artcentregallery.ja@gmail.com phone: (876) 927-1608
The Olympia Gallery c/o The Art centre Ltd. 202 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, P.O. Box 260 Jamaica, W.I. Phone: (876)927-1608 Email:artcentregallery.ja@gmail.c om Website: https:// www.theolympiagallery.co m
Contemporay Vernacular (Nov. 2023) Catalogue
Any Reproduction of this Document in part or in whole is strictly prohibited. All articles, information, text, artwork, images, data, and other materials contained in this catalogue are copyrighted either by the Art Centre Ltd. or by a third party. The Art Centre Ltd. owns or has obtained permission from the owner/ artist to use all of these materials.
Copyrightable materials include documents such as papers, articles, multimedia, and other works of authorship. Copyright is a property right in an original work of authorship. It is a legal protection for the expression of an idea, not the idea itself.
Curation and Catalogue design by Kevarney K.R.
2023
CONTEMPORARY VERNACULAR ABSTRACT
This cohort of artists represents a diverse selection of individual perspectives within the contemporary Jamaican art space. Stemming from different backgrounds, some of these artists are graduates of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, where they benefited from a fine arts education guided by some of Jamaica’s foremost artists and art educators. Some have emerged from the University of Technology’s Caribbean School of Architecture where they received a rigorous education within the discipline. Others are primarily self-taught, and educated in disciplines that are seemingly far removed from art such as Bio-chemistry, Psychology, Dentistry and Political Science. These artists each prefer different mediums and visual styles, and of course the similarities and differences among them abound. The principal uniting factor among them is their acute awareness of their existential realities within this increasingly globalised and technologically immersed world. These artists are conscious of the pertinent socio-political issues within their local, regional and international communities and much of their works directly confront these topical issues. Through figurative representation, these artists explore themes and concepts that are relevant to contemporary Jamaican, and Caribbean, realities including: identity (both individual and collective), inclusivity and marginalization, cultural diversity and plurality, societal institutions, political dynamics, as well as their idiosyncratic perceptions of the human experience.
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2023
CONTEMPORARY VERNACULAR ABSTRACT
In addition to figurative works, these artists also engage in abstraction which enables them to transcend mere descriptive representations of their human realities and ruminate on dense metaphysical concepts. The influence of abstraction is evident even in their figurative works, which suggests that this cohort shares a certain visual language that is more inventive, stylistic and transformative than it is naturalistic. The cohort shares an awareness of and appreciation for Jamaican art history and each artist is able to orient herself within this history, albeit in starkly different positions. When asked about their artistic influences, the artists named some celebrated figures of a past generation including: Albert Huie, Barrington Watson, Osmond Watson, Karl Parboosingh, Christopher Gonzales and Gene Pearson. They also mentioned artists who were inspired by that older generation and who would have directly influenced their own generation such as Afrikan (Omari Ra), K. Khalfani Ra, Phillip Thomas, Richard Hall, Patrick Waldemar and Garfield Morgan. Furthermore, the cohort listed among their influences some contemporary artists, not much older than themselves, namely Kimani Beckford, Taj Francis, Richard Nattoo, Brianna McCarthy, and Matthew McCarthy. Finally, these artists featured in “Contemporary Vernacular” represent an important conjunction between history and the present, i.e. their works are simultaneously anchored in a historical perspective while also appropriately reflective of contemporary realities.
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MADISON ADDINGTON
ARTIST STATEMENT As a Jamaican artist, I find inspiration in the vibrant culture that has shaped my identity. Acrylic paint is my primary medium for expressing the depth and complexity of human emotions, personalities, and experiences. My artistic journey has been deeply influenced by my beloved grandmother, Jean Criton, who not only nurtured my creative spirit but also was my primary art teacher. Through my artwork, I aim to evoke a sense of empathy and understanding of the diverse human experience and ignite a sense of curiosity and introspection.
Instagram: @artbymaddington
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MADISON ADDINGTON
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: I create portrait paintings using acrylics on canvas, with a particular focus on color theory. Inspired by artists like Richard Hall and Patrick Waldemar, I blend colors to capture both the likeness and emotions of my subjects, aiming to tell compelling visual stories.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS/STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? I paint portraits inspired by people I had the pleasure of meeting after moving to Kingston in 2020. I try to highlight different/specific personality types that are not typically seen in gallery settings.
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? Apart from being an active artist (producing work in the present day), my art adapts over time, demonstrating a willingness to experiment and grow as an artist. My art explores themes that are very relevant to contemporary society including identity, representation and inclusion.
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MADISON ADDINGTON
2023
“MS. MAVIS” Acrylic paint on canvas 36 x 60 inches / 91.44 x 152.4 cm USD$1700 5
MADISON ADDINGTON
2023
“BAD TRIP” Acrylic paint on canvas 40 x 32 inches / 101.6 x 81.28 cm USD$900 6
TASHANE BAILEY
ARTIST STATEMENT Simply put, Art doesn't have to be deep, it can be purely aesthetic.
Instagram : @thehandstudio_
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TASHANE BAILEY
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: I don't believe in using an eraser nor a ruler because I like free flowing lines and any line drawn serving a purpose. As a result I've developed a liking to pen art and hatching, in which I use free hand expressions. I've studied architecture so I mainly focus on landscape and buildings etc. Now Ive taken a liking to abstract painting and how I can combine it with architecture.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS OR EVEN STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? Themes: Architecture, Abstraction, Animals Mediums: Pencil, Pen, Digital drawings, Acrylic paint. Styles: Hatching and abstraction
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? I like to think that I don't follow traditional art practices with the idea that my art doesn't necessarily have a deep meaning attached, but purely aesthetic.
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TASHANE BAILEY
2023
“UNCHAINED” Acrylic paint on canvas 23 x 28 inches / 58.42 x 71.12 cm USD$420 9
SUELYN CHOO
ARTIST STATEMENT Whether through painting, photography, makeup, fashion or dance, my work explores the presentation of the self in private and public spaces. My art is one of testimony, witness and lived experience. All my work — whether my painting practice, performance, bodily ornamentation, creative direction and styling — transforms private, intimate conversations I have with my subconscious into public display. I am invested in the interplay between solitude and the social; the performance and mirroring that occurs when you share a space with others, leaving the private to enter the public, leaving the public to return to the private. I am interested in the ways the public intrudes, corrodes and impacts the private self.
Instagram: @suelynchoo
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SUELYN CHOO
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: My paintings are constructed images of an imagined space that includes referential croquis drawings and/or photographs. Often times its a conversation with my subconscious where I'm aiming to communicate something but it always morphs into another passage – I paint, pause, read, listen, mask and repeat. The resultant imagination takes me a while to decipher and understand myself.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR ARTISTIC INFLUENCES FROM JAMAICA/THE CARIBBEAN? Because I paint mostly from photographs I've taken, my influences are whatever my eyes are drawn to in every day. It's mostly scenes that I witness and I find are a bit odd or compelling. I'm drawn to bright signs and lights and people dressed in loud garments. Often times these scenes tend to be moments in bars or fetes/parties in Trinidad or Jamaica. I find myself drawn to painting night scenes. Maybe because I mostly paint at night.
Suelyn is currently doing a residency at New Local Space, Kingston, Jamaica. https://www.nlskingston.org/
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SUELYN CHOO
2023
“BODY SCAPES” Collage; Acrylic paint on hardboard 40 x 32 inches / 101.6 x 81.28 cm USD$950 12
DVALD (DIANNE VAL DOUGLAS)
ARTIST STATEMENT My art is a union of sacred geometry and abstract expression, a journey toward self-improvement and inner growth. Through the visual meditation of sacred geometric symbols and the flow of abstract lines, I aspire to help people recognise the light within themselves. This synthesis with my abstract art creates something entirely new, offering a path to inner harmony and transformation. Instagram: @diannevaldoug Website: dvald.com
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DVALD (DIANNE VAL DOUGLAS)
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: My art embodies the dynamic flow of energy, emphasizing unity and harmony. I seek to capture the sensation of flowing like the ocean, where boundaries dissolve. My work is an exploration of finding one's inner light, going beyond human form and venturing into radiant illumination.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS/STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? My main themes revolve around energy, light, and connectedness, all channeled through the intricate spiritual language of sacred geometry. I work primarily with ink on watercolor paper, using abstract art as my primary form of expression.
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? Intertwining the ancient concept of sacred geometry, symbolising structured, enclosed geometry, with the boundless, limitless realm of abstract expression offers an innovative and distinctive viewpoint on these enduring concepts.
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DVALD (DIANNE VAL DOUGLAS)
2023
“METATRON’S SUN” Ink on watercolour paper 40 x 32 inches / 101.6 x 81.28 cm USD$1000
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DVALD (DIANNE VAL DOUGLAS)
2023
“METATRON'S ATHENA (NUMBER 12)” 24K Gold Leaf on Archival Print 8.5 x 11.5 inches / 21.59 x 29.21 cm US$:300
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DVALD (DIANNE VAL DOUGLAS)
2023
“UNICORN (NUMBER 5)” 24K Gold Leaf on Archival Print 8.5 x 11.5 inches / 21.59 x 29.21 cm US$:300
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DWAYNE GRANT (GIFTD)
ARTIST STATEMENT I'm an artist, poet, and overall addictive creative when it comes on to the level of obsession I put into my pieces of work I call children, as the great Marcus Mosiah Garvey put into perspective, that we are the children of God, this makes us lords of creation. My work is driven by a need to connect with the past as not to lose my sight of our people’s history due to the current plague of modernism. My work often focuses on the pure innocence of the inner child, untouched by the cold grip of reality. My overall purpose as an artist is to give the viewer the same high they would feel as a child when they first held a crayon in their hand and smelled the unique fragrance.
Instagram: @giftD_giftD_giftd
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DWAYNE GRANT (GIFTD)
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: My artistic practice primarily consists of painting and drawing, I use various mediums to get the desired effect, whether it be pastel, paint, charcoal, or clay, but since of lately I've been drawn to ink. I've been using ink in casual layers to depict raw emotion in my work, the permanence of ink and the constant layering to achieve the visual perspective of physical and three dimensional feel on paper or other surface.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS/STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? The styles I use are abstract, abstract expressionism, neo expressionism, impressionism, realism, applied illustrative techniques and drawing techniques like pointalism, cross hatching, collage styles, cubism for execution of the pieces. The themes are mostly inspired by Black culture, Jamaican culture and the environment, I believe that as a race we should be more appreciative, especially of ourselves, I often feel like as a race we lack self love due to history’s projection and impression on our lives and minds, my work aims to have us look at ourselves from a deeper perspective as well as from an emotional perspective that we are a race that deserves to feel and be loved, especially selflove.
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DWAYNE GRANT (GIFTD)
2023
“BLUE SKY” Ink and acrylic on paper 22.5 x 28.5 inches / 57.15 x 72.39 cm USD$500
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DWAYNE GRANT (GIFTD)
2023
“BOY BLUE” Ink and acrylic on paper 22.5 x 28.5 inches / 57.15 x 72.39 cm USD$500
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DWAYNE GRANT (GIFTD)
2023
“TAR BABY” Ink and acrylic on paper 22.5 x 28.5 inches / 57.15 x 72.39 cm USD$500
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SUZANNA MISSENBERGER
ARTIST STATEMENT Suzanna's work focuses on the process of exalting non-human ancestors and animating the inanimate. She draws her inspiration and frame work from modern literature and mythologies from the Caribbean and African diaspora, as well as stories from maternal lineage. This exploration is currently structured through the process of wood work and mask making. She plays with the concept of discretion and hiddenness in translating otherwise invisible guiding forces in life. She relies heavily on inspiration from her natural environment, in an attempt to create visually digestible directions for mending and examining our ecological relationships. Instagram: @_movingspirit
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SUZANNA MISSENBERGER
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: My artistic practice focuses primarily on extracting detailed narrative from the natural environment in an attempt to bridge the gap of what may have been lost through an overemphasis on the rational, the foreign and to the continuous ruptures of Caribbean history. A revisitation of what it may have been like to learn the land for the first time and nothing else.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS/STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? Hiddenness as effectiveness, masquerades, water as memory, caribbean psycho-spirituality, indigenous practices and responses to change and ecology.
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? In an interesting way I'm learning a lot from traditional practices of woodwork and carving but I'm in practice of creating something I've never seen before.
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SUZANNA MISSENBERGER
2023
“MEMORY BLUE” Acrylic on Carved Water Oak 22 x 22 inches / 55.88 x 55.88 cm USD$2000 25
SUZANNA MISSENBERGER
2023
“AN ETERNAL SONG” Acrylic on Carved Water Oak 12 x 12 inches / 30.48 x 30.48 cm USD$800
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SUZANNA MISSENBERGER
2023
“SIGNS OF FALLING” Acrylic on Carved Water Oak 12 x 12 inches / 30.48 x 30.48 cm USD$800
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RASHLEIGH MORRIS
ARTIST STATEMENT: I embrace the beauty of chaos and authenticity. My work is a departure from clean lines and neat compositions, as I draw inspiration from my background in architecture. Through my art, I aim to capture the raw, unfiltered essence of life and emotions, allowing imperfections to become a part of the narrative. Each piece is a journey into the unpredictable, a reflection of the world as it truly is, untamed and real. Instagram: @scribe.rm
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RASHLEIGH MORRIS DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: I explore a diverse range of mediums in my art practice, including acrylics, oil pastels, markers, and ink. My intentional approach involves embracing imperfection, with lines that are deliberately imperfect. This allows me to create dynamic and expressive artworks that capture the essence of my creative vision.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS/STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? Line work and color.
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? Embracing intentional imperfection in line work reflects a contemporary trend of breaking away from traditional perfectionism to express authenticity and individuality.
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RASHLEIGH MORRIS
2023
“THE BEAUTY OF STILLNESS” Charcoal, chalk on chip board 24 x 36 inches / 60.96 x 91.44 cm USD$550 28
RASHLEIGH MORRIS
2023
“VISIONS IN THE DARK” Charcoal, chalk on chip board 24 x 36 inches / 60.96 x 91.44 cm USD$550 29
TAJAE PRINGLE
ARTIST STATEMENT As an artist, I strive to create works that resonate with people on a deep emotional level. I believe that art has the power to connect us, to inspire us, and to bring us hope. The theme of "Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty" speaks to the resiliency of the human spirit, and it is a theme that I find myself returning to again and again in my work. In my current project, I am focusing on the people of Kingston, Jamaica, and their experiences with uncertainty and hope. I believe that their stories are not only compelling, but they also offer a unique perspective on the human experience. In my art, I strive to capture the essence of my subjects while bringing their stories to life through color, form, and texture. Instagram: @pringle.art ; @pringleart.photography Website: https://www.tajaepringle.com/
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TAJAE PRINGLE
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: My practice involves painting, photography, digital photo manipulation, and installation, which are all used to convey ideas around Social and Political issues.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS/STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? I work in a various combination of styles such as: Abstraction, Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, and Symbolism. My work explores a variety of themes including, but not limited to: ‘Hope in the midst of Uncertainty’; ‘Male Vulnerability’; ‘Political Power’; ‘Structure and Corruption’; ‘Empowerment Through Representation’; ‘Racial Identity and Representation’.
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? What makes my practice "contemporary" is that I am focused on current social and political issues such as: the prevailing power dynamics, social justice, power structures, authority, political culture, crime and violence, economic inequality, political corruption, among others.
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TAJAE PRINGLE
2022
“PRESSURE IV” Oil on Canvas 15 x 25 inches / 38.1 x 63.5 cm USD$1000
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TAJAE PRINGLE
2023
“CLOUDSCAPE III” Oil on Canvas 9.5 x 11.5 inches / 24.13 x 29.21 cm USD$300
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TAJAE PRINGLE
2023
“CLOUDSCAPE IV” Oil on Canvas 9.5 x 11.5 inches / 24.13 x 29.21 cm USD$300
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TAJAE PRINGLE
2023
“CLOUDSCAPE V” Oil on Canvas 9.5 x 11.5 inches / 24.13 x 29.21 cm USD$300
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TAJAE PRINGLE
2023
“CLOUDSCAPE VI” Oil on Canvas 9.5 x 11.5 inches / 24.13 x 29.21 cm USD$300
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KEVARNEY K.R.
ARTIST STATEMENT The artist views his practice as a primarily political and intellectual enterprise that is engaged in the holistic decolonization of the Black/Afrikan existence and reclamation of the Black/Afrikan narrative. This artistic practice engages in the grand discourses of philosophy and political theory that have shaped the narrative of western human history, and thus, is largely philosophical or conceptual in nature. Instagram: @thegallery_ja
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KEVARNEY K.R. DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: My artistic practice is multi-disciplinary and explores a variety of media including charcoal, pastel and ink drawings, mixed media paintings, photography, filmmaking, digital illustration and graphic design, and expository writing. The artist views his fine visual arts practice as a multi-faceted process of “imagemaking”, and thus is not limited to conventional notions of painting or drawing. The artist often uses non-conventional mediums and techniques to challenge conventional notions of painting or drawing associated with eurocentric notions of art.
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? My artistic practice is both heavily informed by Jamaican art history, specifically the contribution of artists such as Afrikan (Omari Ra), K. Khalfani Ra, Karl Parboosingh, and Phillip Thomas, and also very relevant to the contemporary socio-political realities of the globalised world.
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KEVARNEY K.R.
2023
“DARK SKIN IN THE SUMMER SUN II” Oil pastel, oil paint, acrylic paint, linseed oil on paper 17 x 23 inches / 43.18 x 58.42 cm USD$700 39
KEVARNEY K.R.
2023
“CHILD REBEL SOLDIER (GHETTO YUTE VS THE STATE) Acrylic on Canvas 24 x 24 inches / 60.96 x 60.96 cm USD$900
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KEVARNEY K.R.
2023
“DARK SKIN IN THE SUMMER SUN” Oil pastel, oil paint, acrylic paint, linseed oil on paper 17 x 23 inches / 43.18 x 58.42 cm USD$700
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ANTHONY SMITH (TAOSZEN)
ARTIST STATEMENT Anthony (Taoszen) Smith is successfully merging distinctive yet harmonious elements of his upbringing and philosophies into visual expressions. His works testify to his curiosity about human development and reflect the dynamism of Jamaican culture. His body of work, so far, is an invitation to investigate the limits of thought and the complexities of perception. Taoszen’s works speak of the intricacies of life, while exploring the dialogue between the mundane and transcendent, and have an immediacy that speaks to universal truth in the human experience. His primary medium is painting, but his artistic sensibilities are multidisciplinary in nature. Website: Taoszen.com Instagram: @taoszen
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ANTHONY ‘TAOSZEN’ SMITH DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE: I paint. Though I am skilled in a wide variety of paint and 3-D media I choose to work with acrylics as my go-to. My work is unrestrained by traditional ideas of style and employs a thorough but intuitive approach. My visual vocabulary is constantly influenced by fleeting moments of beauty in everything I experience daily. I learn from my studio explorations as much as I learn from paleolithic marks to modernist architecture, and street art of present day. My practice honors [art] history but holds no loyalty to a single period or movement while I discard ideas of what is worth being painted in amalgamating the painterly with the graphic.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN THEMES/ISSUES/IDEAS/MEDIUMS/STYLES THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTISE? I am fascinated with transience and sojourning.
WHAT MAKES YOUR ART PRACTICE "CONTEMPORARY"? In the most basic meaning of the word "contemporary" my work is being done now, in the current and recent times. However, this fact-based response does little to justify what qualities outside of era of creation makes my work contemporary. My practice also engages with current times and peoples as I believe deeply that what I make is only the painting, and the art happens when experienced. It can only be experienced in the present moment.
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ANTHONY SMITH (TAOSZEN)
2023
“THE FOOL” Acrylic on Canvas 39 x 60 inches / 99.06 x 152.4 cm USD$2000
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ADDRESS
202 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica, W.I. PHONE
(876) 927-1608
For all enqueries about artworks featured in this catalogue please email us at artcentregallery.ja@gmail.com Visit our website and subscribe to our e-Newsletter: https://www.theolympiagallery.com
Curation and Catalogue design by Kevarney K.R.