Mary Jo Major - Geometry of Light Artworks

Mary Jo Major...All Series...Geometry of Light

Geometry of Light

I have recently become fascinated by the squarish shapes formed by extruded plastic fencing commonly used in Alberta to delineate property boundaries and to contain snow drifts and other landmarkings. The versatile squares are bound on the corners by star-like shapes and over time they stretch out of square and become very wonky. This suits my purpose because I do not intend to create a composition of mathematical rigidity. I began each painting with an airbrush impression of the shapes and continued by painting and drawing the shapes free hand which expresses a more personal touch and emphasizes human connection.

Each painting has movement created by various squares twisting and turning inside out, criss-crossing through the diagonal into diamond shapes and geometric designs. In the end every mark is made by hand and the fluidity gives depth, movement and a surprise element to the composition.

The flat coloured squares give the impression of patterning, seen in textiles or construction scaffolding. The sequenced squares look like old film, reels of 8, 16, 35 mm came in strips of squares joined on the edge by holes in plastic that fed the reel through a projector. The twisted grids reflect light on water, in particular when reflective gold and silver are seen. Light travels through the grid in bursts, like stitches on fabric.

Something new and different happens when a painting is seen in different light, simply becoming curious about a variety of possibilities can motivate the observer to change position and move in different directions when observing the painting. Drastic change can happen, I promise! The reflective golds and silvers also carve out negative space, then it changes again with a slight turn of the eyes. I am delighted by the interaction between the viewer and the painting.

	Energy Particles acrylic on canvas, 50 in × 40 in
	Blue Lagoon acrylic on canvas, 30 in × 40 in
	Sun Sequence acrylic on canvas, 40 in × 60 in
	Dancing with the Stars acrylic on canvas, 24 in × 36 in
	Saturn Sequence acrylic on canvas, 40 in × 60 in
	Galaxy acrylic on canvas, 32 in × 48 in
	Reflections oil on canvas, 40 in × 60 in SOLD
	Bling oil on canvas, 48 in × 60 in
	Highlights acrylic on canvas, 40 in × 50 in SOLD
	Rainbow acrylic on canvas, 40 in × 60 in
	Wavelength acrylic on canvas, 40 in × 60 in
	Black Gold oil and acrylic, 60 in × 48 in