SEASONS GREETINGS

A LOOK INSIDE : YOSI MESSIAH - last show of the year

 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.

Now Showing | Last Show of The Year

Now Showing . . .

popular artist melissa egan now showing

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A LOOK INSIDE : MIA OATLEY

Mia Oatley  ||  Q&A  || October 2012

 

Image: Billy Plummer - Life in the Bubble

 

Can you give us some background to how you became a visual artist?

One of my first memories is of paintings with my Dad at 2 when my Mum was in hospital giving birth to my sister. My Dad taught me how to draw, and paint, and took me to all of the shows, and museums worth seeing. Our house was filled with artist friends, great books, and my Dad's garage where he welded giant sculptures. Art was all around me; I loved it from the beginning.

As a child art was something that I could loose myself in, something that I was good at, it also represented family.

Other artists that inspire you? - Do they change overtime/ year to year?

I'm inspired by many different artists, from Matisse, Monet, Rodin, Rembrandt, Ines, to Warhol, Basquiat, and Bacon and living artists such as Dumas, Doig,

Hockney, and photographers Bill Henson, and Nan Goldin. Basically I'm attracted to figurative work. People are what most interest me.

Where do you get your inspiration for each work?

I get my inspiration from Life! Books, magazines, people, design, furniture, The urban landscape, nature, conversations, films, put it into a big mixing pot, and let something happen on the canvas!

Where do you paint and what is your ideal routine/ daytime… or night owl

Daytime

How did you arrive at the title of this current show?

I called the show Venus and Me, because, my exhibition is about my relationship to Venus and everything that she represents, love, beauty, nature, sexuality, and sensuality.

What is your painting process; paint application and colour seem to be a key process, can you tell us about this?

Colour is really important to me. I pick up ideas everywhere. I use a lot of different materials to make the paint surfaces to bounce off each other, like enamel, against a matt, or built up oil paint. There isn't a real process as to how I go about it. What works stays, what doesn't is brutally painted over, hence the layered look, which people have commented on, which is more about me changing gears, and making different decisions in my work.

View Exhibition

Christina

mixed media on canvas
91 x 76 cm

 

ON NOW . . .

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