‘‘I Suddenly Remembered My Grandmothers’ Words’’, Michael Greaves
(RDS Gallery)
MICHAEL Greaves is another artist whose paintings have slowly moved from figuration towards abstraction, largely as a reflection of the idea that realism, while fine for expressing objects, is a poor choice for expressing more nebulous concepts.
Greaves’ exploration of how abstraction can be used for this deeper purpose has, perhaps not surprisingly, led to a contemplation of how painting can represent the painting process itself, a concept which is only one step removed from infinite regression.
The result of this study has been to produce works where, like spoken words as abstract symbols of thought, colour and
texture are used in an attempt to evoke memory and emotion. Simultaneously, the idea of paintings reflecting on the painting process has led to these works being studies of paint and technique. The painted surface is as much the subject as any idea the artist or viewer may read into it.
Several works have been deliberately ‘‘framed’’ by the use of bold sweeps of paint around the edge of the canvas to separate the centre from the outside world, yet these impasto stripes themselves break out from the canvas as if trying to invade the gallery space.
The works may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they are strong, provocative, and pleasing pieces.