www.winajie.com.au
December, 2010
Basking In Light
W.Jie, 'Basking In Light', portrait of Chez Damier, 2010
Oil paints on ceramic tile
Chez Damier is a charismatic spiritual shaman, who is truly living out his destiny of being a DJ and music producer. Chez sees his occupation as a blessing and an opportunity to spread his passion and Love for music. I had the fortunate opportunity to chat with him in a group conversation that ranged from pure spiritual talk to funny anecdotes, liking the meeting to Chez giving us a sermon on encyclopedic volumes called Chez Philosophy on Life. 'Chez -conomics' and the final disclosure statement of 'Did you get this?' at the end of the chronicles.
He is a modern day spiritual shaman with his DJ performances that are energetic, Soulful and uplifting. The energy high from his memorable performances carry on for days after. He gives out Love and attention to his set. By looking out for people's reaction to the music , he adapts his set to keep the dance floor moving. Every performance is unique, as he makes the most of any given situation. An example of this was a story about a New York street party that had power system failure of Dj Decks with only a microphone and P.A. system working. So Chez improvised and had an mc performance played along with music supplied from a laptop. The crowd loved it as they appreciated his care in preventing the event from being cancelled.
Chez lives in a Global Home; with his music reaching out to people across the world. He calls Detroit home but travels mostly to New York and internationally to UK, Japan,Europe and Australia. With all this travelling, Chez strives to 'Live a life of balance'. Even though he enjoys meeting people from all around the world, it all comes at a cost of juggling between travelling and scheduling studio time to write music and to run his record label; rightfully called 'Balance'.
The portrait's title was inspired by Chez's comment on the fact that when you are truly following your destiny, everyday will feel like you are 'Basking in Light'. He also mentions the importance in surrounding yourself with inspiration and sustaining energy in physical and spiritual wellbeing; to be able to give back to others. Chez celebrates his life by giving out so much Love to the world. He shares his wisdom and inspires others with his knowledge. Speaking with Chez Damier has inspired me to find courage to fulfill my destiny to become an Artist, no matter how hard everyday struggles of surviving may be, I won't let it hinder my creative spirit. After many moments of doubting and nearly giving up on the idea, I have realised that my Art is what keeps me feeling 'Alive'.
The Yin and Yang harmony or balance within ourselves, also starts with individual's choices to fulfill their Yin aspect; dream aspirations and true calling in Life. Once you are aware of your True self and utilising unique talents to reach its full potential, then you can truly 'Bask in Light' and give back to others.
December, 2010
My Twin Ghost Dog
W.Jie, 'My Twin Ghost Dog', portrait of Misha and Viktor, 2010
Oil paints on ceramic tile
'My Twin Ghost Dog' is a portrait of twin whippet dogs, Misha and Viktor. The painting was inspired by their owner Milla Zhugalo, a talented artist I had the fortunate chance of meeting, from a group show at Guildford Lane Gallery. Milla expressed her wish not to have her image represented but was more than happy for me to paint her beloved pets.
Her love of whippets has led Milla to look for a home outside of the city. She has currently moved from Melbourne to central coast NSW in search of a sea change. Funnily enough Milla has never felt at home in Melbourne, spending most of her twenties living abroad in London and inter-state in Tasmania. And now her love of Nature has lured her into the bushland areas of NSW. Her dream is to open a whippet and greyhound rescue centre on a large property in the country.
She is currently working on her latest art project which deals with animal cruelty themes. Milla's caring nature towards animals and the environment is very inspiring. Milla's love for Animals has guided her into being a vegetarian and practising her consumer choice to only purchase products not tested on animals and using recycled materials in her sculptural artworks.
Milla celebrates her life through her participation in Environmental concerns that is also intertwined with her Art practice, which inspires others to make a force of positive change. Milla's ideal home is a bushland property where she is close to Nature and can accomodate her plans to own a number of whippet dogs. Milla's spiritual philosophy of Life reminds me of the interconnected web that connects Humans, Animals and Nature as essentially the same 'Beings' living in one Home, the 'Earth'.
'My Twin Ghost Dog' image is based from photo studies of Milla's whippet dogs. I found Misha and Viktor both beautiful and haunting at the same time. As their poses are always in sync and symmetrical. In the portrait, whippet dog Viktor is projecting another ghost version of itself, morphing into his twin sister Misha. The two small ceramic tiles can stand individually or as a whole, representing the union of two twin siblings.
Photo of Misha and Viktor, photographed by Milla
Another photo of brother and sister walking in sync.
December, 2010
A Season of Change
W.Jie,'A Season of Change', portrait of Maggie Sit, 2010
Sculpted Wax and Oil paints on board
My first portrait subject sitter is an old high school friend Maggie Sit, who I have recently reacquainted with, after 11 years apart. Maggie had moved back to Hong Kong in her Early 20s despite her parents still living in Australia. It seemed that ties with her Ancestral Roots drew her Home, despite leaving behind her parents back in Australia, as they have happily settled here, after having migrated when she was a teenager. Maggie works as an air hostess, which seems to suit her dreamy personality and spirit for adventure.
Maggie had found her way back to Hong Kong, through her strong bond with her grandmother. With her many visits to the nursing home, Maggie enjoys hearing about her Grandmother's past. Both generations have experienced the last period of British occupation of Hong Kong before Chinese Sovereignity handover in 1997.
Another reason she is more at home, apart from her Ancestry is that she has met her Soul mate. One night at a trendy city park hang out, Maggie had been sitting outside on the grass with her friends, resting and chatting after a night out. A young man waves at her from afar, standing on top of a hill. He stood there waving confidently,as if he knew her. Maggie being short sighted, waved back, thinking he was someone she knew. He approached her and introduced himself and the rest was history. As they say with soulmates, once upon meeting each other, they just 'know'.
Maggie celebrates her life through her love of travelling. Her idea of Home is being with her partner and being close to her Grandmother. After flying to many different destinations around the world, she has now chosen to fly with an airline that flies to China, so she can also discover more about her Cultural Ancestral Roots; through visiting places she has never seen but is drawn to, by her cultural ties.
Photographic study of Maggie Sit, used as a painting reference.
I chose to paint Maggie in a magical cloak or head dress that symbolised her spirit for adventure, identity renewal and her brave choice to follow her Heart, to move back Home to Hong Kong. I wanted to capture her dreamy expression as she plots out her next dreams.
Close Up Detail of Lace work on Head dress, pattern drawn by using a wax relief method , influenced by Indonesian Batik textiles.
Another Close up detail of the shawl, weathered textures and layers of glazing on board.
November, 2010
The Home Song Project
The Home Song project is a collection of stories woven into a Human Symphony involving sound instillation, paintings, photographs and an Animated video projection.
Portrait sitters are interviewed about their ideas of 'Home'.The Artist Blog will feature updates of portrait subjects and unveil the progress of 'The Home Song Project'.
The project may be documented on the web but the collection of Artworks are designed to be viewed in person. Instillation Artefacts will magically manifest in a uniquely designed viewing environment, which will resemble a Bower Bird's Nest.
'Home Song' is a Sensory experience of a Universal Heartbeat expressing Yin and Yang harmony of people's existences and their dream aspirations.