Val Griffith Jones
“I have totally loved making these paintings. Painting is a true adventure. There is purpose, risk (although not life threatening), freedom, challenge, some planning and often joy. I love colour and seem to see it everywhere. I paint outdoors. I have a number of sites that I return to often, as does David Hockney, a hero of mine.
I use quality acrylic paints, knives, brushes, rags and fingers.
My paintings celebrate the our glorious land, and at times reflect on the way we (ab)use it.
My favourite sites are French Pass, Port Underwood, Waima River and Awatere Valley.”
Picton based artist, Val Griffith Jones describes herself as both a painter and object maker- but don't be deceived by that simple description, her wry intricately worked pieces each has a thought provoking starting point, and carries with it layers of complexity.
Using a variety of “homely or womanly” materials and techniques, the three dimensional works encourage the viewer to consider what lies behind what appears to be a straightforward object; here, the titles, offer a particularly helpful insight into the thought process that led to the creation.
Landscape painting is a more recent adventure. The works express not only her joy and delight in local landscapes, but increasingly reflect doubt and concern about impact of industry and forestry. This especially present in the Forestry and Port Underwood series. The painting road trip in outback Australia reflects her delight in bold colour and expressive painting.
Val has led a rich and varied life since her childhood days in Cornwall, and has been exhibiting work since the 1980’s. The soul baring black humour of her Stuffing On exhibition is well remembered. She is the mother of ‘four delicious boys’ , who have them selves a good number of children. She is still a keen cycle tourist, kayaker and sailor, making the most of the opportunity of living in Marlborough. .
Themes which resound in her work include relationships and aging, feminist issues and her responsibility and connection to our environment.
Once asked by a reporter if her work was cathartic, she said Yes, -then happily agreed with herself when she looked up the word in a dictionary.
Val is happy that her work has remained autobiographical, and finds the more personal the concept, the more it engages the viewer.
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