YOSI MESSIAH ||
Q&A || DECEMBER 2012
Can you give us some background to how you became a visual
artist?
My first memories are from age 7 where I was
fascinated with cartoons. I would sit in front of the black and white TV and
draw the characters. My mind would be racing with ideas on what colours to use
while drawing. Still at an early age, in all forms of creativity, I would
use my hands and imagination to express myself.
When first arriving in Australia I was in awe of
the beauty of the landscape and light whilst traveling. I settled in Sydney where
I started a jewelry business allowing me to use stones to translate this beauty
and express these colours into wearable art.
When did you start, why did you start?
While still working with Jewellery I found the need to expand my artistic process and the need to express
myself on a larger scale.
It was in 1996 I started my official fine art
studies at Julian Ashton School of Art and then with Sydney based artist
Charlie Shead.
Where do you get your inspiration for each work from?
I find inspiration in all forms of life - be it the
city and its fascinating shapes, in nature with its beauty and freedom, or looking back at the rich tapestry of history. Still I'm amazed how
colour, texture and form are such a big part of my life.
Other artists that inspire you? - Do they change overtime/ year to year?
I have found inspiration in artist such as Aida
Tomescu, Michael Johnson, Michal Cusack, Adam Cullen and Fred Williams, along
with the old masters.
Like Nature these inspirations change and every
year I discover new artists from all form that inspire me.
Where do you paint and what is your ideal routine/ daytime…
or night owl
I paint in my studio and am defiantly a day person;
I find that this is when I can work with the most energy.
What is your painting process, colours, layers and movement
seem to be key processes, can you tell us about this?
My painting process is very energetic and labor
intensive. In this body of work ‘Colour Spill’ there are four main elements
Be it the starkness of white or the vibrancy of
a colour, establishing the background is the first process. The second is what
I call the ‘action’ process, layering colours, mixing mediums of oils and
varnishes on the surface creating shape and form. What’s considered as the core
or heart of the work.
Process three is where the movement and
expressive line work comes in. Fluid paint is put above the colourful shapes
below; creating a sense of vibration.
The finale stage is where all my early training
comes through. Using a small brush I create marks that allows the symphony to
start and bring all the stages together.
How did you arrive at the title of this current show?
'Colour Spill' is reflective of the paint that
flows and moves on the canvas.
View exhibition
Yosi Messiah‘s ‘Colour
Spill’ is on display from 1-12 December at Richard Martin Art,
98 Holdsworth
Street, Woollahra. Enquiries 9327 6525.
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