Clarissa C James - Worlds of Light & Gold

Worlds of

Gold and Light Clarissa C James

45 Park Lane presented by Ackerman Studios

Worlds of

Gold and Light Clarissa C James November 3, 2020 - February 23, 2021

‘Painting to me is a search for serenity and beauty, atmosphere and light - a slow journey into another world.’ Clarissa C James

Worlds of Gold and Light The perfect antidote for 2020 ‘Worlds of Gold and Light ‘ transports the viewer to a place of tranquillity, peace and light. It is the culmination of a deeply personal and artistic journey that began several years ago. The result is a series of rich, meditative paintings that use nature to reflect the inner and outer journey for the self. For Clarissa it is a continuous quest for beauty and serenity, achieving a sense of stillness within. Layers of gold leaf convey richness, life and luminosity to the texture to the paintings. She likes to work with gold leaf because of its ever-changing qualities and the effect it has on the viewer. The elegant forms and rhythms of the birds are not merely representations of nature but are symbols of love, joy, good fortune, longevity and the celebration of life. They are bridges between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Every painting is a world apart – an inner and outer journey for the self.

White Egrets The Egret is a symbol of purity and strength, patience and long life. They are rooted in both the physical and spiritual worlds. They bring out innate wisdom, self-reliance, determination, balance and the ability to follow ones own path.

White Egret I, II, IV – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 80cm by 60cm, 2020

Sakura The peacock is associated with royalty and immortality, the arts and the divine.

Contrary to some beliefs, it symbolizes happiness, connection with others and love.

Its inner attributes are vision, self-expression, staying true to yourself, and freedom.

To me as a painter, it is a universe within itself.

Sakura Triptych – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 130cm by 320cm, 2016 - 2020 Sakura Resurgam – 130cm by 150cm, 2018 - 2020 Sakura right & left – 130cm by 80cm, 2016 - 2019

Triptych arrangements The Sakura Triptych is conceived as one piece spread over three canvases. However, as a painter I delight in playing with compositions.

So this piece offers a number of ways of arranging it as shown on the following pages.

Sakura side panels – interchangeable composition version 1

Sakura side panels – interchangeable composition version 2

Lake Cranes are symbols of happiness, longevity, good fortune and the celebration of life.

They also have extraordinary tenacity, fly higher than any other bird when crossing the Himalayas on their migratory journey. The powerful wings of the Crane are thought to convey the soul up to paradise and spiritual enlightenment.

Lake Diptych – oil and white gold on canvas, 110cm by 305cm, 2017 - 2020 Lake I – 110cm by 150cm, 2017 - 2020 Lake II – 110cm by 150cm, 2017 - 2020

Rising & Dancing

Rising – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 117cm by 122cm, 2018

Dancing – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 117cm by 127cm, 2018

Falcons in Flight The Falcon represents freedom and victory. He is also a bird of protection and visionary powers. Ra, the Egyptian solar deity, bears a falcon head.

He is messenger and hunter alike.

Falcons In Flight I, II, III, IV, V, VI – oil on canvas, 105cm by 50cm, 2018

Freedom The Eagle is a solar symbol. It signifies nobility, inspiration, and freedom.

Soaring high above the clouds the majestic Eagle takes in a wider perspective of the world discarding unnecessary detail.

Freedom – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 85cm by 140cm, 2016

Winter Cranes

Winter Cranes – oil and white gold on canvas, 160cm by 145cm, 2020

White Gold III

White Gold III – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 95cm by 150cm, 2020

Morning Mist Rising

Morning Mist Rising – oil and golf leaf on canvas, 95cm by 150cm, 2017

White Gold II

White Gold II – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 68cm by 110cm, 2019

Homing In

Homing In – oil on canvas, 75cm by 115cm, 2017

Ghost Cranes in Morning Mist

Ghost Cranes in Morning Mist, study – oil and white gold leaf on canvas, 95cm by 130cm, 2017

Morning Cranes I & II

Morning Cranes I and II – oil on canvas, 78cm by 73cm, 2017

Four Season Fans The fan is my object of artistic transition. These paintings form a bridge between the current body of work and my previous solo exhibitions ‘Transition’ in 2015 and ‘Drawn to Silence’ in 2010. In the motif, nature is beginning its rise to the surface.

Now it is the sole focus – objects and the human figure have faded away.

Four Season Fans Winter, Spring, Summer (Autumn is not shown) – oil and gold leaf on canvas, 62cm by 72cm, 2014

The inspiration for this latest collection of paintings came about after seeing the Sandhill Cranes of Bosque del Apache Nature Reserve in New Mexico. From this moment onwards, birds took centre stage in my work.

Regal and static at first on their gilt backgrounds, they soon began to spread their wings and rise above the ground.

Their migratory journey has mirrored my own – working between London, Santa Fe, Rome and Salzburg. A journey that has encompassed the inner and outer self, and was inspired by light in different landscapes, silk-embroidered Japanese textiles and the calm glow of gilt screens.

The latter have been a part of my inspiration and visual language from my earliest beginnings as an artist.

Worlds of Gold and Light has been an extraordinary journey.

I hope my enjoyment in the unfolding of each painting will be reflected in your viewing experience.

Clarissa C James

Instagram | @ Clarissa.C.James

To Kay & David Belangia who, unknown to the three of us, set me on this journey.

My special gratitude to Hugh Gilbert, Lily Ackerman and John Lange for making this real and to Janice and Matt of Creative Jam for their beautiful work.

Thank you to everyone else who accompanied me on this journey over the past five years.

Thank you for your love, your friendship, your support - you know who you are!

Lily Ackerman Instagram | @ ackermanstudios www.dorchestercollection.com/en/london/45-park-lane/art/

Worlds of

Gold and Light Clarissa C James, MMXX