Faye Wei Wei is a British painter that produces large scale, enigmatic paintings. With their surreal imagery and loose brushwork these paintings remind me so much of the Symbolist movement of the late 19th century. Her works are a high contrast combination of thick black line-work and pastel colors. Sometimes the imagery looks like it may be an illustration for an ancient Roman myth, and she is seems to be part of a new wave of neoclassical artists that are popping up in Britain. I am very much in approval of this embracing of the surreal and classic. In an interview with Arteviste she describes her process of making her work:
"I usually start with a feeling, line of poetry or an image that will stick to my mind and not let go for days. I try and get into a state of total commitment and concentration. I’ll draw a lot and sit and think for a long, long time. I think I have to be feeling quite brave that day. It takes a lot of nerve to make a mark that is convincing. Something the beautiful Nicole Wittenberg taught me in New York was how to hold a brush loaded with paint, how to push it with conviction and power on the surface of the canvas, to let it ebb and flow with the emotional logic of the form you are presenting and to never lose your nerve half way. Nicole is the most wonderful human and would paint by my side and let me watch and absorb all her wisdom. We would spend afternoons just drawing lips together, or drawing the sparkle of someone’s eye she’d show me how to make them wink right back at you. The process of painting is always a lovely surprise, it’s always that beautiful, pleasurable moment where you step back and see what you’ve made and it’s quite an amazing feeling of wonder. I feel as if I’m dancing with something that beats and breathes, working to form a seductive image." You can purchase some of her small run prints for a fairly reasonable price from the Cob. gallery.
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