After visiting the exhibition, Jones opened my eyes and perspective to art, before I used to view art through a dancer's pov but seeing how he incorporated science, ecology, and spirituality, allowed me to understand art in various ways. Jones' paintings have a sense of spontaneity and energy that is contagious, drawing viewers in and captivating them with their vibrant presence. His work is both visually striking and emotionally evocative, inviting viewers to connect with the paintings on a deeper level and experience the power of art to create feelings and emotions.
Each painting was a riot of color, with hues ranging from deep blues and greens to fiery reds and oranges, creating a visual feast for the eyes. Jones' paintings are characterized by their dynamic shapes and compositions. He often incorporates geometric forms and organic shapes, creating a sense of movement and tension within the canvas. These elements add a sense of depth and complexity to his work, inviting viewers to explore and interpret the paintings in their own way.
My two favorite pieces are “deliver the funk” 1980, and “self-portrait “ 1960. With “deliver the funk”, Jones captures the essence of the funk music movement with bold colors, dynamic shapes, and energetic lines. The composition is lively with a sense of rhythm that mirrors the spirit of funk music itself. The central figure in the painting appears to be a DJ or musician delivering the funk to a captivated audience. The use of bright colors and psychedelic patterns delivers a sense of joy and celebration. Overall, "Deliver the Funk" is a fun and lively tribute to the funk music genre, showcasing Jones' unique blend of nostalgia, humor, and creativity.
Ben Jones' 1960 self-portrait painting is a compelling and introspective work that captures the essence of the artist's self-reflection during that time period. The painting's rough and expressive brushstrokes convey a sense of raw emotion and vulnerability, as Jones stares directly at the viewer with a piercing gaze. The use of deep, earthy tones and dark shadows create a sense of heaviness and contemplation, further emphasizing the artist's introspective state of mind. With Jones depicted against a dark, nondescript background, it allows the viewer to focus solely on the artist himself. What sets Jones's self-portrait apart from other works of portraiture is his ability to convey not just the physical likeness of his subject, but also his inner thoughts and emotions. Through his use of color, composition, and brushwork, Jones invites the viewer to enter into his world and experience the world through his eyes.
In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, Jones's self-portrait stands as a timeless reminder of the power of art that connects us to our innermost selves and the world around us. “Artists need to take in, to process, to decipher, to separate from the noise and create things that are beautiful and impactful to the spirit. Artists have to offer a different type of slowness to work against the speed of today.”(Hispanic Executive | Interview with Shaun Leonardo - Performance, Pedagogy, and Philosophy article ) I agree with this quote because that’s exactly how I felt looking at the arts, I felt like I was making it my own or I was living in the painting but either or I can see the time and patience it took in each piece, which really captured my interest.
Another artist that came to mind was Cindy Sherman, in an article that I read called The Cindy Sherman Effect by Phoebe Hoban, she states, “So much of her work is performance, so much is improvisation, so much is theater. I am sure there are all kinds of people who look at Cindy as their god.”I never send any of her work but from looking at her series, and coming from a performance background I can see the art, performance, and theater within her work, the way it stands out and distort from any other photographer was really interesting to me. In another article called “The Ugly Beauty of Cindy Sherman by Parul Sehgal, Cindy states, “It was easy to erase myself and put on somebody else’s face and say, ‘Maybe now you guys will remember me,’ or ‘How about this face or that character?’ ” But sometimes it was safer to be forgotten.” I related to this because that’s how I was for some time. Dancing for 15 years allowed me to create characters that gave the best impression when it came to performances. At times I left everything at the door and just danced, I wasn’t Jean, but just a dancer. Looking at Jones' work allowed me to transport further into the world of art. I was conditioned only with dance but after reading and experiencing these pieces first hand, I can say performing and the arts are one.
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