Acrylic and molding paste on canvas
61cm (W) x 76cm (H)
When I heard about the Talburac Art Prize, I was intrigued both by the concept of to a theme and by the theme itself. The theme is open to a range of interpretations, including shifts between climatic seasons or variations in seasonal boundaries due to climate change (seasonal creep). Humans are subject to climatic influences too, and their decision-making can itself influence climate.
As a former academic in psychology and environmental science, I am aware of research showing associations between seasons of the year and human states of mind. This raises the question; if there is a shift in one, how is this reflected in the other? And then, how can this be expressed in a painting? As the human brain is the vehicle for this interaction, I decided to give it a central role in my painting, embedded in background shapes and colours, and verse that refers to my interpretation of the theme. The result is two works, Gaia 1 and Gaia 2. Differing in size, texture and the placement of elements, I hope that they nevertheless evoke a similar response in the viewer.
Gaia 1 - Ivan Beale
I have been painting since I was 10 years old, on and off, when time was available. I enjoy creating images with paint. I learned to paint primarily from practice, reading books about painting and painters, and going to galleries. I have never sought to sell or exhibit a painting, but have created hundreds, mainly oils and acrylics on canvas, many now with family or friends. To me, it’s all about using paint to express an idea, mood or feeling. I practiced as a potter, too, in the 70s and 80s, creating oil-fired stoneware with emphasis on reduction glaze effects. In recent decades, my painting has moved away from explicit subject matter towards ambiguous visual experiences arising from combinations of texture, colour and free form.