Fiona Ai Bubble believes that art is a tool for self-transformation. The mixed media artworks in her first show in the UAE, titled “Crystallization” are based on this concept, which she has named the “New Light” movement.
The artist, who lives in Monaco, is of Brazilian, German, Dutch and Chinese descent. Her work combines influences from her mixed cultural heritage as well as Eastern and Western aesthetics and philosophy. Her name also reflects her artistic philosophy. “Ai means love in both Japanese and Chinese. And a bubble represents the notion of a thought in the enclosed universe of the mind. I see art as a tool to live a better life, and this concept of artworks aimed at self-transformation, which I call the ‘New Light’ influences the design and construction of all my projects. Every piece I create is the crystallization of a thought and feeling that describes a moment in which self-transformation happens,” she says.
Bubble’s canvasses are filled with explosions of colour, light, movement and drama. She has combined photography, digital manipulation, drawing and painting to create tranquil, ethereal images of cherry blossoms in full bloom as well as fragmented landscapes and swirling galaxies in the midst of transition and transformation. The process by which she creates her unique artworks is complex and layered.
“I mix technology and natural elements, and logic and emotion to create visual expressions of my feelings and experiences. I use photography to capture light and the reality around us. And I use computer technology to break down and transform this light and reality to create fragments from which I then construct imaginary worlds. Then I add layers of painting and drawing in a cycle of construction and deconstruction till my thoughts and feelings are crystallized. The compositions are then printed on canvas and encapsulated in resin. And finally, I use my hands to add some life and luminosity to the artworks with layers of acrylic paint, varnish and glitter powder,” she says.
Through this elaborate process she aims to create a visual symphony by finding some synergy in the dichotomies of the organic and technological world, between science and spirituality, and between reality and imagination. “The two main elements in finding this synergy are ‘serenity’ and ‘vitality’. My paintings of cherry blossoms in the ‘Sakura’ series are designed to immerse viewers in serenity. And, my futuristic yet natural scenes, representing early stages of the Big Bang express moments of vitality. The process of decomposition and reconstruction in my work represents the cycle of life and the ephemeral nature of human existence. Through these paintings I want to implore viewers to strive to build bridges between the dichotomies in their lives and move towards a higher consciousness through self-transformation,” Bubble says.
The exhibition has been organised by Swiss Art Gate UAE, which brings international artists and performers to the UAE for various cultural and educational events. The organisation focuses especially on Swiss and Arab artists, musicians, dancers, writers, filmmakers, media persons, writers and theatre actors. It also runs the first online art shop in the Middle East, launched in 2010 at www.swissartgateuae.com.
“Crystallization” will run at the Lightbox Gallery, Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi until August 30. The artworks are also available at www.swissartgateuae.com
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Dubai Winner
Swiss Art Gate UAE is also hosting an exhibition in Dubai, titled “Dubai Winner”. The two bodies of work in this show are in different media and styles. One is a series of oil paintings of abstract landscapes, and the other features hyper-realistic charcoal drawings of horses. But they have been created by the same artist, Paddy Lennon from Ireland. While the landscapes capture the beauty and serenity of the Irish countryside, the equestrian drawings depict the grace and power of various winners of the Dubai World Cup.
“My work is essentially about conveying a certain feeling. The overwhelming beauty of the landscape in the West of Ireland has deeply influenced my work. And horses are among my favourite subjects because my studio is located in an equestrian yard, which allows me to study them in different moods and situations. My landscape paintings and equestrian drawings are quite different, but the feelings they express and the emotions they evoke in viewers are the same,” Lennon says.
The artist enjoys working with both media. “Drawing is much harder work than painting, but it is deeper and richer. I wish I could create life size drawings of the horses, but since I cannot find cardboard of that size, I focus on reproducing the upper part of their bodies, mainly the head and neck,” he says. “On the other hand, oil is malleable and versatile, and linked strongly with great art of the past. The possibilities with oil paint are limitless and there are always new avenues to explore. I do not make any preparatory sketches for my oil paintings because I feel that imposing preconceived ideas on my work dilutes the dynamism of the moment of creation and robs the painting of some of its life,” he adds.
The show will run in the atrium at Swiss Tower, JLT, Dubai until August 10. The artworks are also available at www.swissartgateuae.com
