M Tech Fine Art: Jenny Pomeroy.
Fairest
of Them All
Oil on canvas
180 x 127 cm.
|
Jenny Pomeroy
is an expressive portrait painter who employs photographic source material as
the starting point in her painting process. She explores the translations and
manifestations of trace and index of mark on the painting’s surface and the
transcendence of the painting from its original photographic source image in
her body of portrait paintings.
Artist’s
statement
There is a fine line between resemblance and
abstraction in my portrait paintings. While it is my intention to capture a
certain degree of likeness in my portraits, I do not attempt to paint realistic
or naturalistic portraits, but, rather, spontaneous studies that capture a
phenomenological ‘something’ about my subjects.
My expressive layers of paint
on the canvas consequently become the substitutes for the external layers of
skin on my subjects. These painterly ‘skins’ reveal something about a subject’s
essence and being, unlike the anatomical, dermal layers that cover the body,
and which do not reveal anything about the individual’s personality.
Painterliness
is a tool or vehicle in my painting process of revealing and concealing relational
aesthetics and identity as an attempt to balance the slippery area between
outward appearance and inner personality.
David Paton. Supervisor, Visual Arts. |
There are some paintings in my oeuvre
where the portrait does not act as a vehicle for representation in terms of
likeness at all, and the subjects are unrecognisable in terms of iconic
resemblance, but my perception of their personhood is revealed through the use
of colour or mark, and shapes or forms serve as inspiration for free
exploration of materiality and substance on the canvas. Painting for me is a way of thinking: I think through painting as an
active way of problem solving and doing.
Head of Visual Arts, Vedant pages through the catalogue. |
I only
work from source images (which I have either taken myself or have downloaded
from social media sites) of people that I know intimately – family members, and
close friends. Thus the physical presence of the subject in my portraits, which
requires a personal relationship with my subjects, is essential, and
subjectivity and perception of both the exterior and the interior of my
subjects are key in my portraits.
My paintings are primarily concerned with materiality,
colour, and mark, and, as a result, the way in which I paint my subjects is
just as important as the subjects themselves. In this
light, my practice goes beyond
trying to capture the likeness of a subject, and often moves towards
encapsulating what I consider to be the essence, or being, of a character.
I physically translate a glimpse of certain perceived aspects of my subject’s
corporeal and essential personhood from my personal point of view. The essence
of my subjects is shown through material and substance, and through revealing
and hiding true relational elements.
The exhibition runs until
31 October
2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.