artists

Artists Statement: John Giese

There are two discreet but related bodies of work that I am currently engaged with.
The still life paintings articulate the absence of people. People leave behind traces of their existence in the objects they touch and in the arrangements of those objects. They are spacious and minimal paintings and use minor passages of decoration to personalise images that are essentially formal in nature. Artists that have informed my process here are William Scott and Paul Klee.
The dog and horse paintings are more direct and engaging than the still lives. They look at the viewer. Dogs and horses have a long term relationship with our species. They are a metaphor for human beings and our journey through life. They are decorative, individual, scarred and possess a physical confidence. These works address issues of maleness and aspects of self.
I use white to create a dream-like surreal quality that suggests notions of time passing. I have been using the square format on a regular basis; I like the stability of this form and the challenge of composing within it. My compositions are designed to counter and subtly antagonise the stability of the square. My colour schemes have a symbolic language: earth colours represent the elements while the primaries represent light and its spectrum. I employ a mixture of surface finishes to create a variety of visual stimulation. The formal

qualities I use aim to effect the viewer; to make them feel they are in the presence of something human, something authentic and something very rare.

I feel my whole life to this point has led me to becoming a full time practicing Visual artist. Many years as a professional graphic designer, screen printer and sign writer, have equipped me with the skill and work ethic to realise my full potential as an artist.

The last 4 years I have spent in full time study at the Lismore TAFE, studying for the Diploma of Fine Arts, which I am about to graduate from, in this time I have been awarded, distinctions in painting and drawing, which are my chosen media.

As noted in my Bio, my work has won prizes at local competitions, including first prize at last years Southern Cross Art Prize, for works on can