Shimmer
ArtTM ART
BY
RANNATM
A
review of RANNA'STM
ei-shodou calligraphic art discusses her ei-shodou
invention; Asian influences, especially Japanese, Chinese
and Indian; and her works on paper and on
organza.
BRIDGE
BETWEEN CULTURES Eastern
art is regularly explored by Western artists, quite often
clumsily and half-heartedly. Ranna-Lesley Lachlan's current
exhibition at Pinnacles Gallery clearly demonstrates that
she is an artist extremely skilled in the use of other
philosophies and artforms in her own art practice.
Essence of Memory: Unspoken Territory and the Kami Way
is an exhibition of recent work by Lachlan specifically
dealing with Indian and Japanese art and philosophies.
The
"Black" works use a style of calligraphy developed by
Lachlan whilst living in Japan called Ei-shodou (literally
meaning English and masterful calligraphy). The works
transcribe Indian verses on silk [crystal] organza
and at first seem totally unintelligible, like ancient
Japanese calligraphy or pure abstract painting.
Review:
Brett Adlington; On
peering closer one can see familiar letters and words
emerging, forcing the viewer to contemplate. This is a show
where you should take the time to sit down and think. It is
not a show that jumps out with its meaning or basic visual
representation. This
contemplation is aided by the artist's use of the kucheng. A
Chinese musical instrument that is used as a bridge to bring
together the Indian and Japanese elements of the show.
Specifically this relates to Buddhism being taken from India
to China, then from China to Japan along with other elements
of Chinese culture. The
Japanese presence is shown in the "White" works that have
been produced by arranging crumpled up pages of a Townsville
telephone directory. As lachlan is soon to leave these
shores for the United States, they hold particular meaning
in dealing with her memories of Townsville. By disposing of
an effective means of communication she seems to be ridding
herself of connections to Townsville. The
"White" works are visually pensive and calming, however, the
calligraphic messages performed in the artist's Ei-shodou
calligraphy method are harsh statements about negative human
traits such as malice and slander. In the piece titled
Henken (Prejudice) the phrase states: Take
the log out of your own eye ... you know the rest: Whilst
tellingly the final work in the show, sadly Lachlan's last
exhibition on Townsville, is the piece entitled Put it to
Bed and Leave (I) (Culmination)... Brett
Adlington, in Townsville Bulletin, Friday February 6,
1998, Townsville, Australia, p. 24. REVIEW
OF SHIMMER INSTALLATION Extended
list of reviews, publications,
exhibitions
Photo: Udo Weitz
Townsville Bulletin,
Friday February 6, 1998
the 'other' is us."
_________
RANNA ARTS INCORPORATED (LLC)
C/- 121 Development Lane,
Winchester, VA 22602, U.S.A.
Winchester Art Management,
PO Box 971, Stephens City,
VA 22655, U.S.A.
WAM@winarts.net
www.ranna.com
