TONY BRIGHT

I have always been interested in perceptions of beauty in particular patterns, colour and texture.

 

My first contact with art as such was being given a kaleidoscope in my Christmas stocking when I was four. The ability to create a visual fantasy world mesmerised me. Later, in my childhood I spent endless hours on the farm looking at the patterning and colours on grass spiders.

 

This approach to artmaking still drives me today.

 

Regardless of how bleak or dark the subject is that I am meditating on, I am still concerned with the aesthetics of 'beauty' and trying to resolve each work in accordance with my own perceptions of 'beauty'.

 

As a person, I am drawn to things I find hard and I find making art taxing - the challenge of engaging in an original postmodern conversation through painting. I work on more than one idea (style) over a given period of time, often revisiting the idea again and again.

 

My approach to art is through process - I use whatever I need to achieve my vision. This includes templates, objects and found tools as well as brushes. I upcycle and recycle everyday materials as canvas. Materials and process become part of the work's meaning.

 

I have spent my adult life ensuring I had time for making art. For 20 years I worked nights as a printer's assistant at the New Zealand Herald which enabled me to be engaged with art making. My art has generally been a personal and meditative journey.

 

I have sold work to friends and my larger community networks. My colleagues have tended to come from other artistic disciplines writers, filmmakers, philosophers, musicians and madmen.

 

Having recently turned 60, I am now more motivated than ever to create and exhibit my work. To afford to do that I have to sell more work. In that, I am attempting to reach a wider community of painters, gallery owners and art collectors.

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If you are interested in viewing my work or hearing more about my paintings or process, please contact me. I would love to hear from you.

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