For this task I decided to look at the work of Timorous Beasties, particularly this colourful print from the Omni Splatt collection.
Omni Splatt Wallpaper – Timorous Beasties WIDTH (MM) : 520 REPEAT (MM) : 1860
Bill Jenson’s abstract paintings are widely known for their profound sense of colour and unconventional compositions. His paintings came into prominence with “the return to painting” in the late 70s and early 80s. For Jenson, a painting is only successful when the artists ‘initial impulse and his material properties harmoniously converge.’ Often inspired by Chinese poetry and Buddhism he creates landscape-like abstractions, where shape, line, and intense colour follow unpredictable yet harmonious paths.
Jenson comments, ‘Change is good for art but hard on the artist,’ there
Locus 39″×32″ oil on linen 2001-2003. Courtesy of the artist and Mary Boone Gallery
fore has never really been interested in developing and maintaining his own signature style. I personally like Jenson’s ‘free’ approach to art, and being able to produce what you feel and not be categorized is an excellent way to create more unique pieces of art; all with their own individuality. So much so, looking more deeply into this specific painting, you can see that individuality. It has allowed Jenson to explore contrasting colours, and freely play with lines. In this painting, I can see inspiration from India through the vibrant colours; it could almost be symbolising the Indian Holi festival. In India Holi is known as the festival of colours. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter. Therefore, the painting I feel could be symbolistic of love and hope. The rich colours providing warmth and a sense of rejoicement. However, the enjoyment of Jenson’s piece is that it can signify many things. On a second glance, I see inspiration from urban streets, stimulated by vibrant graffiti. His work looks like layered graffiti motifs, with the bright blue at the top covering the hidden messages of the yellow and red paint. His brush strokes almost mimicking that of the smooth rounded outlet of a spray canister.
Brennan, M.B. (2003) The Brooklyn Rail. Available From: https://brooklynrail.org/2003/06/artseen/jensen [Accessed 2003]
Beasties. T.M. Omni Splatt Wallpaper. Available From: http://www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/wallcoverings/1822/omni-splatt/ [Accessed 2017]