Paintings by Cristina Beth and David Gibbons
Ernest Hemingway rose early and adopted a strict schedule while Descartes languished in pyjamas for hours. Benjamin Franklin “air bathed nude”, he found it more agreeable than a cold bath. Francis Bacon and Jackson Pollock appeared to live in a disheveled chaos, but these habits belie the true essence of daily rituals adopted by many inventors, writers, composers, philosophers and painters. Tools that have proved indispensable.
Beth and Gibbons have their own unique take on Daily Rituals that underpin their successful careers as painters. Uniquely, their routine informs their work directly in this series exhibiting in April at Railway St Gallery.
Cristina Beth explores the concept of daily rituals/daily practice that enriches our lives. Beth aims to practice yoga and breath work #everydamnday, but often doesn’t! However, the notions of repetition in a daily practice start to redefine our lives. Our thoughts, our actions, our intended direction become tightly woven into the fabric of our being. Through repetition, practice and determination we can achieve great outcomes. Every step takes us further on our journey.
Using grandmother dollies, vintage wallpaper samples from Framers Trading Company Sample book from 1932 and her own meditated mandala designs integrated with the chakras, Beth explores the concepts and daily habits around breath, life, memories and art.
David Gibbons has worked with the idea that everyday, ordinary things and habits in life can have an extraordinary effect.
The first series, entitled "Altar to the Everyday", are works that capture mundane moments in the artist's experience. Paradoxically these become icons through Gibbons' use of gold leaf and traditional techniques. A sense of worship is evoked.
The second series, titled "Veil", are works driven by the process of washing a single colour on the canvas every day, making no other gesture. The artist has methodically repeated the ritual of mixing the wash, applying the paint and leaving it to dry before applying the next layer a day later. The canvas eventually portrays the time that it has taken to build the layers though a subtle patina and the sense that something is within the veil.
Artists who adopt daily rituals, immersing themselves in the creative process and owning a consistent work ethic echoes habits of the most successful artists from the 18th century onward. For more inspirational ideas on improving your daily routine, check out Mason Curry’s book Daily Rituals; how artists work.
Featured artists: Cristina Beth and David Gibbons.
Exhibition runs to 24 April 2018.