In the Light of Day
Oil on Kauri
2003
Oil on Kauri
2003
Marissa Bradley's paintings are delicate, graceful and nostalgic. Subtly layering paint, varnishes and calligraphic text onto recycled Kauri timber, she creates works that are contemplative and reminiscent of ancient plaques or tablets. Bradley is influenced by the detailed spirit drawings of the nineteenth century American shaker sect, using motifs such as stacked books, trees in full blossom, chandeliers, moths in flight and elegant dining tables to create her own pictorial language that speaks of knowledge, growth and motherhood, and the greater values of self, truth, beauty and virtue.
In her latest series of paintings, 'Wonder', Bradley suggests, "Wonderment can be that feeling of surprise and amazement, sometimes awe or that unexplainable emotion that can overcome oneself at any particular moment. A moment of curiosity or doubt that leaves you perplexed."
"Take flight on the wings of the silent moth, curiously drawn to the light of the blazing candelabra or the moth that graciously hovers in the darkened room, filling it with potent silence. Or imagine one hundred moths nervously fluttering inside your chest, waiting eagerly until released to the light of day. Within my work the moth is the vehicle in which to explore these moments in time."
| 2003 | Wonder, G2 FHE Galleries, Auckland |
| 2002 | A Teaspoon of Grace, G2 FHE Galleries, Auckland |
| 2001 | 'Te Puaroa Exhibition', Contemporary Maori Art Exhibitions, Te Toka-a-Toi Festival, Wellington Group Show, Bowen Gallery, Wellington |
| 2000 | Indicator Group Show, Auckland |
| 1999 | Indicator Group Show, Auckland |
| 1997 | Sturdee St Studio Show |
| 1996 | Sturdee St Studio Show
Ivy Copeland Paint Award, ASA Gallery |
| 1995 | Sturdee St Studio Show |
| 1994 | Ivy Copeland Portrait Award, ASA Gallery |
| 1996 | Certificate in Children's Story Book Illustration, Central St Martin's Art College, London |
| 1992-94 | Bachelor of Visual Arts, ASA, Auckland |
| 1991 | Certificate in Foundation Studies, Unitec, Auckland |
| 1994 | Finalist in the Ivy Copeland Portrait Award |
| 98-01 | Prop Maker, Xena Warrior Princess, Pacific Renaissance Pictures |
| 99-03 | Working Member, Indicator Studio |
| 94-97 | Working Member, Sturdee Studio |
