Conrad Jon Godly - To See is Not to Speak

Exhibition Catalogue
2019
Soft Cover
Conrad Jon Godly - To See is Not to Speak: Exhibition Catalogue
Publisher: JD Malat Gallery
Pages: 48
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JD Malat Gallery is pleased to present 'TO SEE IS NOT TO SPEAK', a solo exhibition by Swiss artist Conrad Jon Godly. Following on from the artist's solo show, 'DARK IS LIGHT', in Kyoto, Japan, 2018, 'TO SEE IS NOT TO SPEAK' presents an exciting selection of work which addresses the relationship between human nature and the sublime. Godly finds a beauty in the awe and terror of nature, and his works are a reminder of the futility of human existence. 'TO SEE IS NOT TO SPEAK' embraces the viewer in the dramatic elements of nature making for a captivating yet peaceful display.
 
Despite Godly's earlier peripatetic career as a photographer in the fashion industry, during which he spent 18 years travelling across the urban centres of Europe, the eighteen works created for this exhibition are not direct studies from nature. In fact, Godly's return to nature, distances himself from the traditional canon of landscape painting, not just through technique, but in rendering a selection of abstracted work which he draws from memory. These are not scenes which one can summon directly from nature, nor are they individual landmarks, but approximations. As such, Godly is able to capture the most dominant and reflective aspects of his surroundings, saying;
I never paint a certain mountain. The mountains surrounding me where I live have a great effect on me but I paint from memory and imagination. Years ago I took photos of mountains, just to study details... and to bring these images into my memory. Today I don't take photos anymore, I have enough images inside of me.
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