JOSHUA BONSON - SKIN: ARAFURA SEA
JOSHUA BONSON
SKIN: ARAFURA SEA, 2023
94 x 69 cm
Synthetic Polymer Paint on Canvas
REGION
Torres Strait Islands/Darwin, NT
STORY
Skin, Arafura Sea alludes to my people and totem, The Saltwater Crocodile and Saltwater People.Colour, Camouflage, Culture and Texture intertwin creating a patterned network of interconnecting scales showcasing a spiritual link with the Land, Sea and Sky. A symphony of shades of blue, hints of green, white and yellow are expressively applied with thick and textured strokes. Bold directional and expressive markings, build the richly textured painting, playing with a precision of curves and sophistication recreating the scales of the saltwater crocodile.A combination of hands and palette knife allows paint to be smeared and layered bringing depth to the work as the physically thick paint layers create shadows and dimension.Pure white shines against pure blue and yellow, the result echoes the crashing sounds of the ocean. Energy and movement are felt throughout the painting. Nowhere is more powerful and unforgiving, yet more beautiful and endlessly fascinating than the Arafura Sea.I become part of my vigorous abstractions on my personal journey of discovery, motivated to create great art with visual appeal and aesthetic power and its capacity to communicate, share and create a response in the viewer.
Skin-Arafura Sea, a work that is Contemporary in appearance yet embodies age-old traditions. I am a man of the Saltwater; a Crocodile; Proud of my Heritage.
Joshua Bonson
ARTIST PROFILE
