Sea Music 1

Title: Sea Music 1
Artist: Viv King
Medium: Oil/canvas
Size: Height x Width x Depth: 1500mm x 890mm x 2cm

CURATOR'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

Click on IMAGE for larger view

Artist Statement: I believe that art is a form of communication that transcends language, culture, religion, society. What I can't say in words I try to say on canvas - whether it is the way the light falls on a mountain or on the sea or on a human body or a piece of fruit.

Essentially I am sensitive and appreciative of the "Light" - ie. the natural sunlight that we have in such abundance in this country! And of course, colour- the way light translates into colour as through a prism - the purity of those colours! I believe I am drawn to certain colours - particulartly the warmer end of the spectrum because of their vibration, which tends to be slower and more mellow than the colder ones - the lemon yellows, greens and blues. I believe that artists with a knowledge of physics and the wavelengths of the different colours are in a better position to interpret the natural world to the viewer - to "speak the truth" on a canvas as it were. I am always seeking truth - I try to be as honest as possible and keep my colours and subjects "real" - ie. they are what I see and do in the daily life I lead. But I also have an experimental side which is my "lighter" side - here I am working with digital imagery and manipulating my pictures. In order to keep my integrity though, I only manipulate my own art ie. oil paintings that I have made in my studio and consequently photographed. A sensitivity to the natural beauty of the Universe is the fundamental underlying principle by which I am guided to create my paintings. My visual senses are stimulated by colour and form and I am always seeking new ways to express that on canvas or in ceramic.

Background: I am a self-taught artist, starting late in life after a career as a Microbiologist and mother of 2 boys. I began in my forties, studying privately at the Ruth Prowse Art school in Cape Town and then with various private teachers. I was part of an Artist's co-operative with Jill Trappler which was involved in the upliftment of underpriveleged artists, working along-side each other and inspiring and helping each other. I was privileged to attend the Tupelo workshop, an annual gathering of International artists. I was part of the resultant exhibition held at the National Gallery in Cape Town. I have exhibited at the Association of Visual Arts, the Cape Gallery, the VEO Gallery, Quincy's in Cape Town. I have also been involved in the performance arts, as a singer for Artscape Opera chorus. I have been a member of the South African Society of Artists since 2000 and have had work accepted every year for their prestigious annual exhibitions. I am particularly inspired by the beauty of the South African landscape the wonderful quality of light, the depth and height of the amazing skies here, the richness of the fynbos which is indigenous to the area and of course the varied hues of the amazing people who live here.