Mini-feature: Humphrey Tawjoeram
Back to abstract
In the month September the Readytex Art Gallery presents to the public yet another new and intriguing mini-feature. The artist whose work will be dominating the main hall of the gallery this time around is Humphrey Tawjoeram. After his big solo-exhibition in the gallery in 2007 where the main theme was centered on elements from his own cultural background and heritage, his recent work is once again done primarily in the more abstract style which he has been known to use often in the past. .
Previous work
Other than the new works of art from Humphrey Tawjoeram there is also some previous work of the artist on display during this mini-feature. The previous work showed an increased inclination towards realism and was in some cases more figurative. According to Tawjoeram, the choices he makes with regards to style and theme are not conscious decisions, but intuitive expressions of the emotion and inspiration which motivate the artist at that time. At the time of his previous exhibition the artist was greatly preoccupied with his indigenous origins and culture, and his subsequent art collection was inspired and influenced by these emotions. Because of the soft and strongly diluted hues of acrylic paint each canvas exudes a dreamy and mystical quality. There were also some decidedly abstract pieces in this exhibition, and as a result not the entire collection could be labeled realistic.
Abstract landscapes
‘I prefer to create abstract pieces of art, so that is what I concentrate on doing.’ Abstraction is indeed the style for which Tawjoeram has been best known over the past few years, and the one which he unwittingly reverts to in each of his collections. With his unique style the artist is capable of creating fascinating abstract compositions in which the chosen theme is artfully worked out. Humphrey Tawjoeram has once again succeeded in doing exactly this in his new mini-feature in which landscapes are the theme of choice. In many of the paintings the familiar colors of muted grays, purples and blues have been applied to the canvas by the artist with a palette knife in a thick structured manner. The paintings are composites of small textured planes of acrylic paint which all together combine to portray intriguing abstract landscapes.
Subtle hints
Off and on the artist has alternated the thick paint application with that of thinner, more diluted acrylic paint. The color choices as well show some degree of variation and some paintings are done in brighter, livelier colors. Exact, recognizable objects are difficult to discern but there are some subtle hints which suggest the shape of the sun, the flow of water, colorful flowers and other landscape elements. The abstract nature of the work does however inescapably urge each and everyone to search for identifiable elements in each piece of art. ‘As an artist you are sometimes inclined to add further detail to certain objects in order to make them more recognizable, but I consciously try to refrain from doing so. My work has to remain an abstract piece of art. That is most important to me now.’
The mini-feature by Humphrey Tawjoeram runs from September 19 until September 30 and can be visited during the regular opening hours of the gallery. The Readytex Art Gallery is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am until 16:30 pm and on Saturday’s from 8:30 am until 13:30 pm. The Readytex Art Gallery is located on the Maagden straat 44 upstairs, in the Readytex department store building.
Team Readytex Art Gallery
