Cooktown School of Art Society Inc
Elizabeth Johns
Time to Land Exhibition July 2011
Opening Night 8 July at Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery runs 9th to 23rd July
See the exhibition and photos on You Tube Video.
Elizabeth with daughter Pip
Artists Profile (Click this link)
After visiting Cooktown several times and being awed by it’s unique character, I moved here in 2007 to develop my painting practice.
Inspired by the unique climate of seasonal wet and dry in Cape York, I set to work develping a series of paintings based on climate, location and environment.
“The sensory overload of visual images persuaded me to adopt the concept of ‘the universal’ rather than ‘the particular', so instead of trying to capture every nuance of this incredible place, I used the visual technique of describing a small piece of something to signify the whole.”
In this case I devised a personal language of symbols and colour, which encorporated circles to signify not only the Wet, but also the mystery of the universe. The circle, predominanting in my paintings, is also the symbol of eternal motion, harmony and renewal.
Paintings From Cape York 2009
Sized 92cm x 112 cm Summer and Winter
Size 62 x 62 cm Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night,
62 x 77 cm Profile
61 x 46 cm Narrative
51 x 67 Reflection
These paintings are about location, in this case Cape York Peninsula.
Location usually implies environment and climate. The circle is the symbol I used for this environment, and for aspects of its
climate. The circle is the symbol of eternal motion, a point moving at constant
distance from a given point. Ancient and modern cultures regard it as a
symbol of the spirit, of harmony and renewal.
The circle is also associated with the cool harmonies of the colour blue.
Repetition, order, unity and and patterning mirror nature’s laws.
Because nearly six months of the year are humid and, eventually, wet, the
circle is an ideal visual metaphor for rain drops. Their overlapping and
sequencing patterns signify extreme humidity on the one hand, and the
torrential rain of the wet season on the other.
Titled 'Afternoon'
Titled 'Evening'
Titled 'Morning'
Titled 'Narrative'
Titled 'Night'
Titled 'Profile'
Titled 'Reflection'
Titled 'Summer 1'
Titled 'Summer 2'
Titled 'Winter 1'
Titled 'Winter 2'
Paintings 2008
I came to Cooktown expecting to be inspired by the spectacular geography of the region. Instead, I became fascinated by the habits of the quirky, hardy folk who live in and around Cooktown.
Gone Fishing
This is the cap that fits the boys gone fishing. It also fits the boys driving their 4-wheel
drives up and down the dusty unsealed roads of Cooktown.
Louisiana
This is a detail of the new pediment of the recently renovated exterior of Louisiana. The petals are from a tropical tree which blooms in spring, the Poinciana.
Boxed In
Isolated by the geography, everyone relies heavily on the post and waits anxiously for it to defy the weather and arrive on time. This is also the signature look of Louisiana, the oldest shop in town, where people shop out of the boxes.
Holiday
These are awnings adorning a wall of the fanciest resort in Cooktown, the Sovereign Resort Hotel.
Stepping Out
Cooktown has a love affair with thongs, fancy or plain, these are the ideal footwear for the climate.
Cooktown Pyramid
There’s a story that ruins of an ancient 8 stepped Bronze Age pyramid was found in 2003 north of Cooktown, but has since been lost to the undergrowth. My version has glimpses of
the architectural detailing adorning some recently renovated shop fronts of Charlotte St.,the main street in town.
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