Jeffery Spalding's Art

             Jeffery Spalding began his painting career in nineteen seventy one. His early works consisted of abstract patterns of colours which he embedded a series of coded messaged into each canvas. For example, assigning a numerical value to each colour then layering one on  top of each other forming patterns. To the naked eye the paintings would appear to be nothing more than plaid textures. He was attempting to express his own personal experiences through his paintings.
        The "Black" paintings were an interesting departure for Jeffery's abstract work, and focused on applying one hundred and fifty layers of transparent colour on a canvas. The finished work from a distance would appear to be completely black. On closer inspection they would appeared almost brown, purple and would change colour depending on the angle they were viewed from. Jeffery found it particularly interesting how the alternating layers of red, yellow and blues would blend and form colours within the layers. Concealing the brush stoke and hiding the process was important in Jeffery's work. Leaving the work not framed exposing the paint on the side which allows the viewer a look into the piece rather than just looking at the surface. As Jeffery stated " You were able to see the slight differences.. they are not really black."
         Jeffry then turned his attention to using the environment and existing architecture as his focus. The idea of creating a painting that is quiet and hidden, for example painting on walls, or using the paint on the walls as his inspiration for the canvas. His use of space and creating works that interact with existing architecture allowed Jeffery to manipulate the experience through the use of different colours. He admits during this time he was attempting to rationalize and control his world. He makes an interesting point in saying " This idea of control could come from a masculine place inside me as an artist?" This comment resonated with me because we often do not think of the gender of an artist effecting the choices they make. Hearing this on the other hand made me realize that our gender and the choices that follow play a big role in the making of art.
      Today, Jeffery is focused on feeling his way to a solution rather than thinking and controlling it. He believes in letting the paint tell a story, and attempts to make the paint disappear or vaporise like mist. His works to date deal with the effect of light on matter. He incorporates wood and exploits the textures within. He is interested in the life cycle and seasonal cycles, creating works that are almost like dream imagery.
        Jeffery's career as an artist has spanned many generations and movements with the world of art. He is quick to point out that his work speaks of a certain place and time he was in as an artist. And even today finds it hard to revert back to that place and time, in an attempt to explain and articulate his work. As an artist myself I find it fascinating to see  how  a retrospective collection of an artists career, really helps put in to prospective the dedication it take to be successful in the arts.