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ARTIST STATEMENT
Bringing to life the tradition of abstract expressionism, Jonas Gerard emerged into the art scene in the late 70’s with work that has evolved into a compelling explosion of color, contrast and movement. Influenced by the great contemporary Masters, such as Willem DeKooning, Jackson Pollock, Hans Hoffman, and Franz Kline, Gerard has found his own style of abstraction which is continuously developing. Gerard believes in the art of true Expressionism. He has explored other styles, including representational, figurative, and portraiture, but it is his abstracts that have fulfilled him and been the most highly regarded over time. In his current work, one can feel the passion these paintings evoke. “As an artist, it’s important for me to give the viewer the opportunity to reconnect with a deeper sense of inner knowing. The only purpose of this art is to unveil and convey an existence that is unique within our very soul. In my painting and mixed media works, I unlock the door to time and space as we know it. My work is derived from a creative process that I have been practicing for over 15 years, where the unknown and the intuitive are allowed to manifest without judgment or interpretation. For me, the deep essence of creativity is simply being myself regardless of the outcome. This is a totally unpredictable journey for which there is no preconceived destination. It’s more about the process than the result. Consequently, as an image unfolds, it suggests the next image and so on. Often the combinations of colors and forms that occur effortlessly are at times very curious and puzzling to me; but I have learned to relinquish control and let the impulse flow. It is stunning how this process of self exploration without restraint or criticism produces such incredible results. The finished work is always a surprise and the true joy comes from knowing that the possibilities for further discoveries are infinite. It’s an undeniable fact that spirituality has to be the very essence of good abstract art. Without it, art is just a decorative element. I believe that through true abstract art we can channel ourselves consciously and subconsciously to experience or at least tap into the sustaining power of the universe.” Watching Gerard paint, one can actually witness the ‘trusting’ in his intuition. While mesmerizing music plays in the background, he becomes completely absorbed in expressing what is in his heart with a gestural painting style that appears almost as a spontaneously choreographed dance. The strong rhythms and sounds of his favorite music are, for him, influential in creating that daring space within which he can transcend any feelings of limitation or fear. To the viewer, it may seem that the painting is done by the music itself while the artist is simply holding the brush. Yet it is the years of dedication to his work that have brought this artist to the level he has achieved. Gerard’s work has been exhibited all over the United States and abroad, and is in numerous collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, World Bank, Siemens Energy and Automations, Worldwide Nissan, Price Waterhouse, and Sassoon Fashions, among others. |