Mary Joyce, 2024, #1, Oil on Canvas, 30”x30”. Photographer credit: Mary Joyce.
Artist Statement
Suddenly this past November, the shape of a circle affected the square format of MJ’s ongoing artwork on the global resistance movement. Fine detailed vignettes began to appear around the circle’s circumference, referencing massive demonstrations for Gaza all over the globe, and required physical rotation of the painting support.
Intricate detail in each scene shows the location by including a famous building or monument within the crowds. Hidden in plain sight is the call number of each local airport. Only Gaza is without, as it no longer has an airport.
The sense that earth is in a period of profound transformation right now drives the artists’ embrace of this change in her format: it was a square underpainted with red, that supported works of the last 12 years. As the process of human will changes conditions, so, particle waves streaming off the hot energies of global resistance spiral outward from the circle into space, suggesting coalescence into other energies in space/time.
Powerful emotions produced by the horrors of genocide seem to be energizing a new world, a world of freedom and justice, a world of hope. This idea might seem naïve, but it is what powers billions of humans to keep fighting for and finally, winning, freedom in face of mortal danger.
In December, the artist duo, (MJ and RH) realized at the same moment that the new works will have to rotate in order to be fully seen. An exciting moment, as neither has ever seen a revolving painting before.
about the artist
On a recent trip to Mexico MJ and RH conceived of the Worlds of Resistance Project. It began when they mutually realized that her new works need a new kind of installation. This is their first formal project.
Ray Harper is an award-Alberta born Filmmaker and occasional Sculptor, with BFA and a Master of Visual Arts from UA. He has taught Art and Design, and Digital Media Editing at both university and college level.
As a filmmaker he has ove400 productions: as a sculptor, 25 years with metal fabricators producing Sterling and AMPIA award-sculptures.
Born in Montreal, migrating to Edmonton as young woman, Mary Joyce is in her 40th year of artmaking, exhibiting, travelling and winning awards locally and internationally. She loved the work towards her art degrees and earned her living through teaching art. This show will be her 55th solo/duo show.