Perseverance: A journey in Construction, Deconstruction, Reduction & Abstraction emerges in 2010 as the latest body of work from Brisbane based artist Sam Eyles. Through a considered process based methodology the artist deconstructs his original collection of drawings to produce this body of works on canvas.
The paintings offer a minimal aesthetic obscuring an underlying complexity in both concept and structure. With fluid drawing and gestural mark making the underpinning strengths of his practice, Eyles creates surfaces that evolve and multiply as sedimentary layers to reveal his inner most experiences. Flowing dark lines dissect largely concealed areas of paint and his emotional reflections, the underlying history of the work.
“He works as though aspiring to an understanding and enlightenment of the original concept, that through deconstruction of an artwork he will work towards a more absolute resolution of the idea”. Abigael Whittaker
Late in 2008 EYLES reduced his artistic approach to drawing in exploration of the six recurring themes that have flowed throughout his work to date. The universal principles of Suffering, Perseverance, Character, Faith, Hope and Love were interpreted via the image of the passionflower. Large-scale renderings on watercolour paper individually explored each subject through the use of text, black pastel, and eraser.
After the success of this body of drawings entitled ‘1/6’ and careful consideration and exploration of the individual ideas, EYLES decided to pursue ‘Perseverance’, at the time an overwhelmingly persistent concept both personally and in the collective conscious of those around him. 2009 saw the production of ‘Perseverance’ (The Drawings), which emerged as large scale, abstracted contour renderings on paper. In these works the Koi Fish was used as a point of reference for it’s strong iconography as a symbol of Perseverance.
Sam EYLES graduated from USQ with a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Painting) in 2000. Since then he has exhibited in countless group exhibitions throughout Australia and Solo shows in both Queensland and New South Wales. His work is held in private collections nationally.