Statement
Artist Statement for the 2015 exhibition, 'TECHuNIQUE'.
TECHuNIQUE explores relationships between opposites.
It is an amalgamation of seemingly disparate elements that interact on the axis of tension and harmony. These elements are drawn from a culturally diverse bricologe of concepts and forms, mixing and matching connections that reveal a new meaning each time one engages with the works.
The initial viewing may show the homage to Oriental works and calligraphy- the stark contrast of black and red ink on crisp white paper a tribute to Eastern thought. This may lead one towards a conversation that includes the differences between ideas of binary opposition as considered by East Vs. West traditions.
One such consideration is in how each has historically regarded the age old relationship between the masculine and the feminine. Post-Structuralist Jacques Derrida has offered the Western version to be violent in its hierarchical nature, with the male position dominating and devaluing that of a female. This is a far cry from the Eastern tradition that strives to understand and find a balance between the Yin (female) and Yang (male) energy within all of us.
Balance is a key concept that links the series together. Each solitary figure is engaged with its own pursuit of balance, their organic forms fluid yet reminiscent of some kind of technological system. From here we move on to questions concerning interior and exterior realities; hardware and software; science and spirituality; negative and positive; light and dark.
These apparently incongruous polarities create a sense of conflict that needs to be resolved, offering a feeling of uncertainty until a balance is found, and understanding (which is different for each individual), begins to creep in.
-Kitiish Penketh, 2015
Artist Statement for the 2015 exhibition, 'Why is the Sky Blue?'.
"The myth is the public dream and the dream is the private myth. If your private myth, your dream, happens to coincide with that of the society, you are in good accord with your group. If it isn't, you've got an adventure in the dark forest ahead of you."
- Joseph Campbell
In this body of work I am presenting an interpretation of my ongoing journey towards self-realization, creating a series of oil paintings inspired by my investigations of Jungian and mythological themes. Elements of both physics and metaphysics are being explored here, which I relate to the philosophy of macrocosm and microcosm, and the Hermetic principle of 'As Above, So Below'.
Within these paintings subtle layers of colour work to suggest literal concepts, as well as implying more mysterious 'unknowns'. These deeper abstractions, that of light being drawn forth from the darkness, allow the imagination free-reign to create limitless narratives that resonate on an intuitive level of the psyche. Here, elusive forms swim across the void, perceived by both an inner and outer vision. In this space a form of meditation is achieved that echoes half-forgotten dreams, promising a return of hidden knowledge and understanding.
An important part of my creative process is to continue learning new ways to observe and assimilate information collected from my everyday experience, and translate it into a painterly representation. I am intrigued by the use of the analytic left-brain compared to the intuitive right-brain in regards to this, and I really enjoy discovering how they come together in my work.
-Kitiish Penketh, 2015.