|
An exhibition of paintings by Janelle Humphreys
Opened Wednesday, 6 April 2005 @ 12.30-1.30
April 4th - 22nd, Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm
Long Gallery, Building 25, Faculty of Creative Arts
University of Wollongong
Mathematics was Janelle Humphreys’ first career path and its link with art is the subject of her exhibition Translation. Janelle has a mathematics degree and taught maths in high schools and universities for 25 years. Her deep understanding of mathematical concepts and theories evolved over time, and she began investigating their relationship with the visual world.
In 2000 she embarked on her artistic career, with an advanced diploma in fine art at Meadowbank TAFE. In 2004 Janelle completed a Master of Studio Arts with Honours at Sydney College of the Arts.
She is now pursuing a Doctor of Creative Arts in painting at the University of Wollongong, under the supervision of visual arts lecturer Jelle Van Den Berg and School of Art and Design head, Professor Amanda Lawson.
Working in a studio on campus, Janelle has produced Translation, the first of several exhibitions she will stage as part of her DCA program.
The exhibition tracks Janelle’s move from Sydney to Wollongong, a change in what she describes as her “place of immersion”. The 39 paintings and drawings in Translation are arranged chronologically and explore mathematical ideas. The title refers to a related mathematical concept.
Janelle says:
The term ‘translation’ (or slide) is used in mathematics, alongside words like ‘rotation’ (turn) and ‘reflection’ (flip), to indicate the particular quality of a transformation or change. My studio has changed location in 2005 and this exhibition documents that ‘slide’ from Sydney to Wollongong.
My drawings and paintings are based on mathematical processes, including sequences and projections from one dimension to another.
I am also interested in the interplay between choice and chance in painting and use masking tape to create chance effects. This introduces a raw, organic quality into my painting which provides a counter-play to the geometric qualities.
My Sydney paintings depict the various layers - human, historical and architectural - of Sydney College of the Arts. This is the site of the former nineteenth century “lunatic asylum”, Callan Park. My colours were influenced by the historical sandstone buildings of the Kirkbride complex. The new Wollongong work reflects my first impressions of
Wollongong and the natural colours of the sea and the escarpment, together with the metallic colours of the steelworks and the huge Bert Flugelman sculpture, Gateway to Mt Keira.
|
