James Hayward
dal 9/9/2005 al 29/10/2005
Segnalato da
9/9/2005
James Hayward
Mandarin Gallery, Los Angeles
Monster of Monochrome. The paintings, all pure oil paint, applied quickly with the most archaic of tools, a brush, and are among the most physically dynamic examples within the genre; true monsters of monochrome. The colors range from absolutely pure, to combinations so complex and perverse that the artist assumes such color has never existed before.
Monster of Monochrome
"Monster" is a racetrack term. Occasionally, while watching the horses being
saddled in the paddock area, one comes upon a horse so charged with
vitality, so totally ripe and in bloom, so perfectly conditioned, on their
toes and wide eyed alert, that they appear unstoppable, unbeatable,
undeniable. Such a horse is referred to as a "monster." And smart money
goes with him. Paint, horses and humor are all part of Hayward's lexicon;
thus the title of this exhibit.
"Monster of Monochrome" is a reference to the vitality and richness of
Hayward's current studio practice. Mandarin is pleased to present a suite of
his recent efforts, which are among the most rigorous and compelling
examples of monochrome to be found anywhere.
The paintings, all pure oil paint, applied quickly with the most archaic of
tools, a brush, and are among the most physically dynamic examples within
the genre; true monsters of monochrome. The colors range from absolutely
pure, to combinations so complex and perverse that Hayward assumes such
color has never existed before. They bloom before the eye.
Hayward calls himself the "Emancipator of paint." Paint has been forced to
conform to the wishes of artists for centuries. "Let my paint go² is his
motto and, while exerting the absolute minimum of control, the paint
realizes itself in dynamic new reality. Hayward unleashes the power of paint
and reveals its beauty. Much like the jockey on a "monster," his only job is
to let it run and fulfill its innate potential.
The paintings have evolved very much out of a Joyceian stream of
consciousness, avoiding critique and control for the sake of the painting.
He hates to see a self-conscious mark and has evolved a practice of marking
which is purely proletarian; no special places and no special marks are
allowed. Ideally the last mark disappears into the wholeness of the painting
and is lost. The individual marks become like the dapples on a "monster" and
are truly beautiful to behold. "The paint does most of the work, but because
it occurs on my watch, I get to take a bow," he likes to joke. He makes it
all sound so simple as he excuses himself with, "I make my living with a
hairy stick and colored grease". So speaks the "Monster of Monochrome."
Image. James Hayward, 'Abstract #108', 2005, oil on canvas on wood panel, 27 x
22.
Opening Reception: Saturday September 10, 6-9 pm Saturday September 10, 6-9
pm
Mandarin Gallery
970 North Broadway Suite #213 - Los Angeles
Public Hours, Wednesday  Saturday, 1- 6 p.m.