Artist : BIWA Art Group
Genre : Paintings
Period : October 28 till November 11
Everyday, 10.00AM till 5.00PM
Location : Danes Art Veranda
Jl. Hayam Wuruk 159, Denpasar
Tel: 242659
The exhibition ‘Impression-Expression’, at Danes
Art Veranda in Denpasar, has been created in collaboration
with the BIWA (Bali International Women’s Association)
Art Group, which is called ‘Women @ Work’, and
is comprised of nine female artists all of whom are members
of the BIWA.
The title of the exhibition is ingenious, for it can imply
two different interpretations. Much of the subject matter
and the painting techniques favored by the BIWA Art Group
fall into the categories of ‘Impressionism’ and
‘Expressionism’. The Impressionists worked directly
and instinctively from nature, preferring to paint their initial
sensory reactions. They had to work fast to capture the moment.
They painted their personnel experiences, and the events in
their daily lives, wanting to capture a landscape or people
in a candid, rather, than as an idealized subject, or a staged
or posed setting. It is as if we are observing a private,
contemplative moment. Whereas the Expressionists interpreted
the ‘moments’ of life through expressive gestures.
The power of colors and shapes, of brushstrokes and textures.
Both art styles featured a spontaneous method of painting.
However, all of the Women @ Work artists choose to work in
a difficult medium. Watercolor requires much skill and talent.
Through the very nature of this medium, an image has to be
described with much speed and dexterity. An ‘Impression’
of the subject matter is created through the artist’s
‘Expression’, using emotive brushstrokes and atmospheric
washes. Hence, the title of this exhibition, ‘Impression-Expression’,
does not only signify the subject matter, but it can also
imply the difficult technique by which these artists create
their work.
The BIWA Art Group was formed in 1996, and has evolved into
the present group of painters who come together regularly
to create their artworks. “It is in the BIWA spirit,
to foster friendship between women of different cultures and
nationalities, that the Women @ Work group meet and explore
the art of painting”. These women come from many different
parts of the world and represent a wide range of backgrounds,
but they all currently reside in Bali.
Jeni Smith
Jeni is an Australian naturopath and registered nurse. She
runs an herbal tea business in Bali. Jeni is inspired by Australian
artist Lloyd Rees’ sentiments: “There is enough
pain and ugliness in the world, I try to make a better place
with my art”. Jeni presents an ‘Italianesque’
landscape in which the yellow and red flowers, and stark blue
skies, create a sizzling sensation of heat.
Kyoko Furukawa
Japanese Kyoko has a background in trading. Living in Bali
inspires her to express herself in the arts, which she finds
“relaxing and makes me smile”. As her impressionistic
paintings show, she likes to paint animals and nature.
Lily Trainer
Born in Jakarta, Lily has a background in PR and loves the
Performing Arts. Lily enjoys being able to use the painting
medium to express her feelings. “It is a great way to
get inspired by all that is around me and get motivated to
create beautiful images”. Lily reveals a social consciousness
with her stirring portrait of a proud young Indonesian boy
taking a patriotic salute.
Mala James
Mala was born in South Sumatra. After studying pharmacy she
lived in Jakarta for 31 years, but now resides in Bali. It
was not just Bali, but also the Arts that urged her to start
painting. “I enjoy painting nature and its beauty, like
flowers and landscapes”. Mala’s impression of
water lilies is suggestive of Monet’s images of the
same subject and is most appropriate for this show.
Patricia Jamieson
On leaving Ireland, Patricia’s studies in interior design
began in London, and led to continued study and teaching whilst
living in Perth, Sydney, Jakarta and now Bali. Patricia’s
works are in private and corporate collections in Indonesia,
Ireland, Australia and Japan. Her oval painting, of a colorful
arrangement of autumnal leaves, is evocative of a more graceful
bygone era.
Rejane Delabre
Rejane was born in France, where she taught French and Roman
Languages in college. She lived in France for most of her
life, then, she fell in love with Bali. Rejane likes painting
daily Balinese life, and she likes to “enjoy herself
with her international friends”. Rejane’s image
of the dancing elephant god Ganesha is captured with exuberant
colors and painterly expressive gestures.
Verna Cameron
After a career in Physiotherapy, Verna moved from Australia
to Bali 8 years ago. Verna finds that “painting gives
her satisfaction in knowing she can do something she never
thought possible”. Verna likes to paint a variety of
subjects. Her painting of two wary herons, standing in a Balinese
rice paddy, is created with a colorful expressive palette,
and suggests an ominous storm.
Woi-Ling Wen
A Canadian of Chinese-Dutch heritage, Woi-Ling worked as a
Creative Director for department stores, and taught retailing
and architecture at universities in America and Hong Kong.
Her paintings are in collections in Europe and America. Woi-Ling’s
impressionistic watercolor of a beach with looming rock formations
suggests the rugged coastline of the Bali Cliff area.
Yus Martini
A Balinese with an architectural background, Yus has been
involved in a variety of arts since childhood. She now heads
the present watercolor group of BIWA. “I express my
impressions of nature in my paintings and try to make it more
beautiful”. In this exhibition, Yus displays a painting
of bird-of-paradise flowers through which she boldly explores
expressive patterning.
To the younger, jaded, modern eye this collection of watercolor
paintings may, no-doubt, appear passé. Yet, the mature
and ‘educated’ eye, familiar with the implied
genres, will recognize and appreciate the admirable amount
of talent and technique, combined with a sensitive awareness
of subject matter, which is displayed by these nine artists.
Part of the proceeds of the sales from this exhibition will
be given to the BIWA Social Welfare Fund.
