About the painting, BELONGING (IN MEMORY OF SAM)
BELONGING (In Memory of Sam)
Original, 2018-2019 _ Oil on Canvas_ 40 in. x 30 in.
Permanent Collection, Beijing, China
About the Painting
I'm often asked about the 'vertical line' running through this painting. What is it, and why is it there? The work began as a response to talk in the United States about "The Wall." And if you look carefully you will see many vertical ovals in the upper left. Those were going to be the faces of people. I was going to do a piece showing people of all backgrounds peering in at the "Garden of Eden" (USA) from the other side of "the Wall." What does the promise of America look like to them? Not expressing an opinion either way, merely a historical observation about what I thought at the time I painted it, & that this may well become the most important topic of our times.
But then dear Sam died, and my focus on the piece changed. I added orange flowers (bright orange was Sam's color). And I just painted for the reason I usually paint - as a way to express great emotion. "The Wall" nearly vanished out of the painting entirely, and instead Belonging (In Memory of Sam) became a vessel to express love ~ a piece in memory of my beloved little Sam.
The top edge of the canvas was painted a bright orange. So are several of the flowers. The color of sunshine. That was "Sam's color" (the color of his collar & of his lead). This piece is above all about Love. That was my rescue mix Cattle dog/Aussie Sam! My little (if 46-pounds of pure energy is little) bundle of sunshine!
Provenance:
* XIXth International Japan Exhibition, The National Art Center, Tokyo, JAPAN, November & December 2019
* Permanent Collection. Beijing, CHINA
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=450674688977366
About the 19th International Exhibition
"XIXth Japan International Art Exhibition & Exchange is a juried international show among the largest of its kind in Asia and a highlight for the International Contemporary Fine Art world. The 2019 show, curated by renowned artist Katsu Shimmin (Japan) and American curator Julienne Johnson and hosted by The National Art Center, Tokyo, promises to be the gemstar of an already exciting year in contemporary fine art. It includes a group of American artists who some for the first time, join their overseas counterparts. Among the Americans are Julienne Johnson, a Grammy-Award winning artist and Janai-Ami, a contemporary floral painter and master colorist who blurs the lines between sculpting and painting. The show is also known for its incredible display of the finest contemporary brush painters from throughout Asia and especially China and anticipates close to a million visits from art enthusiasts from all over Japan and neighboring countries."
From Artist Statements:
"I am honored to have been included among a talented group of artists chosen to represent the United States at this year's Japan International at the National Art Center, Tokyo. The show highlights what is happening in the contemporary art world and is one of the most anticipated art events of the calendar year."
"The NACT is a beautiful and amazing venue. I'm honored and excited to have my work be a part of this Exhibition! My painting that was selected by the jurors for this showing is an oil on canvas piece titled, "BELONGING (In Memory of Sam)."
"The inspiration for what I refer to as "Sculptural Expressionism" comes from my exposure as a child to some of the finest Chinese art in the world. Though my work is 'contemporary' in the American sense, I am always cognizant of the 'beauty esthetic' which is very much present in the work of Chinese and Japanese artists, both of yesteryear and today. Many in contemporary art in the West focus on drawing attention to societal issues artists feel are important, while artists in China and Japan, all technically well-trained in the arts, create items of lasting beauty and meaning and reflect positively on their culture. I began to wonder if there isn't a way to do both? I attempt to fulfill the current western art call to speak about the problems plaguing Society, issues pressing to our Generation, while doing so in a way that mirrors the beauty esthetic and in so doing reflects positively on my culture. Much of my work is however just purely autobiographical. Some refer to what I do as "Contemporary Romantic." This blending of western calls to contemporary artists to speak boldly to the changing World in which we live, while using the enduring beauty esthetic of the East, hopefully combines the best of both Worlds and leaves behind a legacy that reflects positively on our Western Culture.
From a child entranced by the beauty created by Chinese artists to an adult in the art world with the unique opportunity to share the international art stage alongside them, in many ways I feel as if I’ve come full circle. To be included in this Exhibition with the greatest Chinese artists of our day therefore is indeed a great honor. "Belonging" is a good example of my ‘Contemporary Romantic‘ style of painting, and I'm happy to be sharing it with the audience at The National Art Center, Tokyo. I'd like to thank the Japanese, Chinese and American Curators for honoring my work. And I thank all of the Chinese and Japanese artists too, for leading the way forward by honoring and respecting the past & the future by continuing to use the "beauty esthetic" in their work. And importantly I must thank those people who have taken their time to come to the Museum and view the work up close and in-person. It is the very best way to view a painting! It is your appreciation of our art that keeps our art alive and drives all artists to continue to create many different things of beauty for you!
Finally, a special thank you to the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Japan which makes this Exchange-Exhibition possible."
~ Janai-Ami
* Archival Prints Available *
