Profiles of Contemporary Art and - ARTisSpectrum

Alison-Jane Rice
In works as organic as they are
compelling, Australian artist Alison-
Jane Rice combines a variety of artistic
mediums to explore both the decorative
aspects of the female nude as well as all
the energies that reverberate within. Her
use of different mediums is purposeful, so
that watercolor becomes an immediate
fluid channel for the emotive force of her
paintings, while pastels, charcoal, and
acrylics serve to ground and balance the
overall effect.
At the heart of her work is an exploration
of the relationship between human
life and the natural world. Inspired by
the natural landscapes of her youth,
Rice combines a study of natural and
human forms with an undercurrent of
expressionism that’s both intuitive and
tangible. As she explains, ‘The physical
sensations of our Earth continue to have
a profound impact on my tactile and
creative interpretation of our world.”
Compositions are taut and edgy, as
female figures pose in unexpected ways
with isolated remnants of organic forms.
Her skillful use of light and shadow only
serves to highlight the contrast between
figurative and expressionistic elements.
Colors, on the other hand, are muted but
strategically placed alongside geometric
forms, bringing an overall sense of
balance to the page.
Rice’s artistic reach extends beyond the
fine arts into writing, book illustration,
and film. “Drawing, painting, printmaking,
and photography provide me with
infinite opportunity to communicate my
imaginary, emotional, and spiritual mind
map, and also explore the construction
and erosion of social, environmental,
and spiritual identity.” It is within her
visually gripping paintings that she
invites us to connect with our emotions
and rediscover our place within this
complex world we live in.
Alison-Jane Rice currently splits her time
between McMahons Point and Leura,
New South Wales. Her work can be
found in private collections across the
world, including Australia, Asia Pacific,
America, and Europe.
www.Agora-Gallery.com/ArtistPage/
Alison__Jane_Rice.aspx
After Dark
Watercolor & Pencil on Paper 11.5” x 8”
Alison-Jane in her Studio
Arnhem Flower Pastel & Mixed Media 19” x 18.5”
16 ARTisSpectrum