Joy in painting for retirement group
‘THE Joy of Painting’ an exhibition by Bray Active Retirement will take place at Signal Arts Centre from Monday, March 16 until Sunday, March 29.
Henri Matisse viewed his masterpiece ‘Le Bonheur de Vivre’ of 1905 as ‘Creating an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter. An art that could be for every mental worker, for the businessman as well as the man of letters, for example, a soothing, calming influence on the mind, or something like a good armchair that provides relaxation from fatigue’.
When this painting became a recognised ‘work of art’ the upcoming Picasso was disconcerted, which prompted him to out-do Matisse with his 1907 canvas ‘Les Demoiselles d’Avignon’.
However Matisse appears the guardian in darkest times of something that human beings need to be able to imagine and believe in. Happiness is a human right and Matisse speaks up for it beautifully.
‘The Bray Active Retirement Group might not all want the angst of being a Matisse or Picasso but come together every week to create art, share enthusiasm, fun, and the possibility of taking home a masterpiece,’ said the group in a statement about the show.
‘The joy of painting is at heart the joy of sharing and the works exhibited here reflect not just hours, but years of work by the participants.
‘There is always a process of revealing oneself in the art we make and that is possibly the hardest journey we undertake. Sharing our art with others is the joy.’
An opening reception will take place in Signal Arts Centre on Sunday, March 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.