Benjamin Jai
Benjamin Jai started life out in Sydney and, after travelling, working, studying and living in various cities and regions, based himself in Lismore, almost 20 years ago.
In this time he has managed to raise and homeschool two children while completing an honours degree in visual arts
at Southern Cross University, and developing his arts practice.
He has been studying visual art, and creating and exhibiting work since 1988, some of which can be found at: benjaminjai.net.
Opening on the 22nd of September 2017, from 6pm,
"SubTerania: Subliminal Terrain"
is a new body of work from local visual artist Benjamin Jai.
The works in "SubTerania" are mixed media paintings on canvas
that broadly feature stripped back, minimal fields of colour.
Mostly devoid of figures and formations,
these compositions give a sense of space,
allowing for the subtleties of paint to emerge through
colour, line, texture and reflective effects.
Sumptuous gradients of saturated colour are juxtaposed
light upon dark across a luminous horizon line, suggesting
terrain but also resisting the definition of landscape
by being resolutely abstract.
In other works there is no horizon, but a haze of overall colour blended with robust licks of thick luscious paint,
producing subtle variations of tone and texture.
They can be vaguely suggestive of forms found in nature,
but sublimated through memory as represented solely
in the direct process of paint applied on canvas.
Again, these works are resolutely abstract;
the result of broad gestures emerging
through layers of luminous colour.
Everyone is welcome to attend the opening event.
Light refreshments available.
This exhibition will be on view until the 2nd of October 2017.
'Ask me (female)' - 2009
Acrylic, enamel and charcoal on canvas.
30 cm X 30 cm
$128
'Ask me (male)' - 2009
Acrylic, enamel and charcoal on canvas.
30 cm X 30 cm
$128
'!' - 2994
Acrylic, oil and enamel on MDF board
59 cm x 122 cm
$180
Education & Training
Solo Exhibitions
1992 - Feb.
2010 - Jan.
Solo exhibition of sculpture;
Café Yartz Gallery, Northcote, VIC.
Solo exhibition of painting (as planned)
Next Gallery, Lismore, NSW.
"Dis-connect"
Group Exhibitions
'In ur arms'
(1 - left, 2 - above)
oil, ink on paper
from Scarlet
September 2014
'Brown Crown'
oil and walnut ink on paper
from Soul of Serpentine October/November 2013
'Intimate'
from Scarlet July 2010
'Temporary'
acrylic on canvas
from Dark Ages June 2010
'2B or Not'
Oil, Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
from Graffikka April 2010
'Gold n Tweet'
Bitumen and Golf Leaf on Canvas
from Graffikka April 2010
'Untitled 2003'
bitumen and oil on paper
SOLD at Art Auction 2010
'I'm Wearing Black Until There's Something Darker'
Oil, Acrylic and Enamel on Canvas
from Graffikka April 2010
'Untitled'
Acrylic, Enamel and Gold Leaf on Board
SOLD at Graffikka April 2010
'War on Terra' Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100cms $700
"'War on Terra' was painted
when Afganistan
was being bombed
in the aftermath of September 11,
and the drums of war
were being beaten for a war in Iraq.
Here in 2010,
the troops are still there
as the war on terror
fades from view."
from 2010 AD February 2010
from Open Doors July 2009
from Love - In All Its Forms February 2009
Inspirations / Favorite Artists
Boris Hoppek | Abbey McCulloch | Paul Notzold | Rose Star |
Yayoi Kusama | Jenny Holzer | Bill Henson |
Websites:
http://au.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjai
www.facebook.com/benjamin.jai.art
You can also contact Benjamin
through the Serpentine.
SERPENTINE COMMUNITY GALLERY
17 Bridge St, North Lismore, NSW, 2480.
Contact (02) 6621 6845 or serpentineartsgallery@gmail.com