'Chromatomorphia' - John Newdigate and Ian Garrett

Collection: 'Chromatomorphia' - John Newdigate and Ian Garrett

Chromatomorphia

18.01.25 - 01.03.25

EBONY/CURATED Bordeaux House

At the heart of Chromatomorphia lies the unique synergy between John Newdigate and Ian Garrett, two artists whose collaboration breathes life into the exhibition’s striking pieces. Their artistic partnership is built on a seamless integration of skills: Garrett shapes the intricate forms that serve as dynamic canvases, while Newdigate transforms these surfaces into vivid narratives, rich with colour, detail, and symbolism. Together, they blur the lines between form and surface, creating works that are as much storytelling devices as they are art objects.

Garrett’s approach to constructing forms reflects a deep engagement with structure and balance. Each piece is designed not just as a foundation for Newdigate’s painting but as a sculptural statement in its own right. His mastery of materiality—whether porcelain, or the terracotta he uses to make his own work — results in forms that echo the fluidity of nature while retaining a sense of human intentionality. These structures become an invitation for Newdigate’s artistic exploration, utilising his underglaze painting technique, he turns each form into a tapestry of interconnected stories, drawing inspiration from botanical motifs, wildlife, and the interplay of human and natural worlds. His work is a visual dialogue, responding to the shapes that Garrett provides while pushing the boundaries of surface design. Using bold colours and intricate patterns, Newdigate layers emotion and meaning onto each piece, giving voice to themes of survival, adaptation, and transformation.

For both artists, this collaboration is more than a creative process; it is a conversation. Newdigate and Garrett work in tandem, constantly responding to each other’s visions, materials, and techniques. This iterative process ensures that each piece in Chromatomorphia is not simply a fusion of their talents but a true co-creation, imbued with the energy and innovation of their combined perspectives.

Through this deeply collaborative practice, Newdigate and Garrett invite the audience to experience the union of form and surface as a cohesive narrative. The works in Chromatomorphia are more than just beautiful objects—they are meditations on the interconnectedness of life, the resilience of nature, and the ever-changing relationship between the seen and the unseen. Each piece tells a story, not just of its creation but of the world it reflects and reimagines.

-Professor Arnold Van Zyl

Works on exhibition

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