The continuity of direction and purpose of my creative projects remains the same for this year and the coming year…working intuitively, and inspired by the planet. Sometimes the paintings are just a “slice of life”, a social comment. Paintings always emerge out of the depths of the subconscious and the mark making has been inspired as it always has been for over 35 years, by the marks, symbols and decorations found on neolithic pots and figurines.
What is very exciting is that I’ve discovered the research work of Genevieve Von Petzinger, in her book “The first signs”, which discusses intentional mark making on cave walls, by the paleolithic people of Europe. This research shows that Neolithic mark making came from something earlier. These ancient people left symbolic signs on cave walls 40,000 years ago which meant something and were shared between various groups all over Europe.
Using these old symbols in my own paintings (at least my own interpretation of them) without knowing the original meaning is a way of connecting an ancient past with our contemporary world. The prehistoric past is bought forward into modern life.
I’m continuing with the investigation of colour relationships, employing earth hues, opalescent colours and neon vibrancies to express contemporary culture. Gestural, spontaneous and relaxed paint application continues to be paint application method. I want the paintings to express connection to our planet yet also to touch on our inner non verbal worlds.
Pink and yellow dub 110 cm x 110 cm
The unexpected 30 cm x 30 cm
King of the mountain 100 cm x 100 cm
The beach: it’s complicated 100 cm x 121 cm
Susan Lhamo 