(Work by Ingrid Adams)
Beyond is the title of an
exhibition by Ingrid Adams running at the KZNSA Gallery from July 2, 2019.
“This exhibition is part of the research
conducted for my Masters in Fine Arts. The study is titled Beyond Sumi-e: a practice-led investigation into the influences of
an ancient art form on contemporary artists, with reference to the artworks of
Hiroshi Senjju and Yoshio Ikezaki,” explains Adams.
“My art practice is rooted in the tradition of
Sumi-e, Japanese ink painting. The all-natural materials date back more than
two thousand years and these are called the Four Treasures: the inkstick
(sumi), the inkstone (suzuri), brushes (choryu) and paper (washi). These form
the basis of my painting.
“My focus is on nature, degeneration and regeneration
and these themes are expressed in organic forms created intuitively, in layers,
collages and transparencies, drawing on a lifelong store of inexplicable
feelings and resonance with nature, translated as yūgen in Japanese. Analogies
for intrusions on nature, where humans exploit and contaminate, are
interspersed and conveyed through the use of thread and the colour red.
“Throughout my research, my use of natural
materials associated with the Sumi-e tradition has been in part influenced by
my working life in fashion and textiles, where I have included the
incorporation of cotton organdy, silk and cotton thread. My personally recycled
paper, as well as various washi made out of plant fibres such as mulberry
(kozo) and ganpi (ganpishi) are used in both the two and three-dimensional
artworks. The latter are suspended forms, incorporating elements of my personal
history, evident in the mélange of fabrics, papers, Sumi-e, stitching, sand,
organic matter, feathers, and portions of my wedding dress made out of a WW2
family silk parachute. The juxtaposition of these disparate elements in flux,
together with shadows and darkness contrasting with lightness, suggest both
decay and degeneration as well as regeneration expressing hope.
“These artworks were installed and filmed in
local forest setting which adds further dimensions to the artworks, allowing
foliage, movement of air and the play of light, shadow, and ambient sounds of
birds and water to enhance the material qualities of transparency and rupture.
“My intention is not to prescribe to viewers how
they should view these artworks, hence no titles, but rather that the artworks
evoke sensations within the viewers and that they will respond to subjectively.”
Beyond runs at the KZNSA Gallery
from July 2 to 7, 2019
The KZNSA Gallery is situated at 166 Bulwer
Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1705, fax 031 201 8051
or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsa.co.za
Posts
