Last week I planned to take 14 framed pieces up to the gallery. 12 big and 2 small pieces. 7 Dr J Beau and 7 Mr H Haut. Before I even got the the front door I had edited it down to 12 pieces. Once they were placed in the gallery itself it was obvious there was still too much work for the small space. After much umming and ahhing I decided on 8 pieces. Less is more.
Martin White, also on show;
http://www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk/MartinWhi…
was there to screww the pieces to the wall which left me with a statement to write!!
Artists Statement for Dr Justinian Beau
The landscapes of Dr Justinian Beau were produced after relocating from Sheffield to Pembrokeshire. Inspired by seascapes and sunsets without rival in Yorkshire an idiosyncratic style of landscape painting was developed.
Trained in a conceptual fashion without technical skills, feelings of anxiety, isolation and low confidence all lead to a style which relied upon what were considered to be socially valued skills. Pieces used the mathematics of proportion, repeat patterns, precision, a limited palette of tasteful colours and carefully blended gradients.
The aim was to produce artwork that was not in any way upsetting or challenging but intriguing and calming. Without figures the landscapes place the viewer centre stage in an attempt to recreate the meditative peace one experiences at dusk, evaluating a day gone by and looking forward to another.
Later pieces more angular format echo a busier environment. They become populated by man-made structures, contain more expressive colour and spontaneous brushwork.
