ART AND CULTURE - An exhibition by artist Mary-Jane Morris hosted by Knysna Fine Art at Thesen House in Long Street, draws the viewer into the artist's sensory and emotional experience of watching and listening to birds on her nature farm outside Sedgefield.
Titled 'Birdsong', the group of paintings, on show until 14 September, emerged from Morris' ongoing exploration of human-nature connectivity.
In her exhibition statement, Morris says that intuition plays a central role in her creative process, "...the selection of colours, media and mark-making as the painting evolves. Imagery may emerge or the painting will become an expression of feeling, of sensing, of being absorbed in the sights and sounds of nature."
These sights, sounds and feelings are captured in a cascade of colour in her enchanting Birdsong collection.
Admiring her art, you hear the early birds welcoming the day, the gentle call of the rain bird, as well as the vibrant vocals of hadedas and drongos.
Conversations by Mary-Jane Morris is acrylic, pastel and pencil on paper.
"Watching and listening to birds is not only a source of inspiration, but has also piqued my curiosity about the connection between bird sounds and human wellbeing. Interestingly, this is the subject of quite extensive scientific research.
"According to a recent article in National Geographic , hearing birds calling and singing gives a ‘wellness boost’. It is thought that human music was inspired or perhaps even came from animal song.
"Imitations of animal songs occur in the traditional music of numerous cultures, and appear in some of the earliest notated music," Morris relates.
Honey gatherers and honeyguides
In her exhibition statement she also refers to the relationship between honey gatherers and honeyguides.
"The embodiment of the human-nature connection, through bird calls can be found in the interaction between honey gatherers and honeyguides. In parts of Africa, honey gatherers connect with the honeyguide through making special sounds.
"The honey gatherers say that this communication 'tells the honeyguide you’re their friend'. The honeyguides help find the bees’ nest and the honey gathers make the wax the birds need easily available.
"This communication between humans and birds is thought to be very ancient, probably in the order of hundreds of thousands of years."
For an online sneak peak of Birdsong by Mary Jane Morris, click here.
From left are Glynn Morris (no relation), Catherine Fedorsky, Ian Hunter and Mary-Jane Morris in front of Birdsong, an oil on canvas.
Artist Bio
Mary-Jane Morris holds a degree in earth and natural sciences and has practiced as an environmental scientist for over 37 years.
Her long-standing interest in art led her to start painting seriously in 1996, prompted by a gift of water colours from her husband, Ritchie, an environmental hydrogeologist.
She lives and works on a nature farm outside Sedgefield, having moved from Cape Town in 2014.
She developed her art through self-study and has also attended courses and workshops in South Africa and internationally.
She is currently pursuing further professional development through the Contemporary Art Practice (CAP) certificate programme with Professor Elfriede Dreyer.
In 2022 she completed the Porthmeor Programme offered by the St Ives School of Painting in Cornwall, UK and continues to participate in their alumni events.
Exhibitions
Over the years she has participated in several group exhibitions both whilst living in Cape Town and since moving to the Garden Route.
In July 2020 she was the featured artist with the edg2020 Gallery.
During 2023, she participated in two group exhibitions in Europe: Latuvu Gallery in Bages, France and Lessandra Gallery in Sofia, Bulgaria.
As well as participating in group exhibitions at Knysna Fine Art and the Gallery @ Glen Carlou in 2024 and her artwork “Thunderclap” was selected for the artb gallery Vuleka competition exhibition.
Her work can be found in private collections in South Africa, Nigeria, Europe, the UK and the USA.
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