Jamie Preisz: Hold On

After winning the 2018 Archibald Packing Prize with a portrait of Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes as a title fighter, Jamie Preisz opens with a solo exhibition at Jerico Contemporary.

Displaying bold use of iconography and colour reminiscent of pop art, ‘Hold On’ presents a series of hyper-realistic paintings depicting hands slathered in thick paint and gripping a range of symbolic objects, from tulips and bananas to skulls and golden cats.

Jamie Preisz, Holding Banana, 2018, oil on canvas, 101.5 x 76cm. Courtesy the artist

These hands belong to favourite artists, friends and mentors of Preisz, created from photographs taken in the artist’s studio. Preisz explains that during the painting process the works became a love letter to those who comforted him after the passing of his sister; with each work understood as a unique portrait made in gratitude.

Jamie Preisz, Holding Tulips, 2018, oil on canvas, 152.5 x 1-6.5cm. Courtesy the artist

Against colour block backgrounds, the hands in ‘Hold On’ are strong and assertive and imbue a sense of undeniable humanity in their veil of dripping paint. Preisz developed a love of painting hands in childhood – safe and reliable, his hands were always there as a subject for him to practice on. They become a symbol of nostalgic comfort throughout the series, even when obscured by thick layers of paint.

Persevering through grief, ‘Hold On’ leaves us with the hopeful thought that positivity can be born out of loss through a gentle reminder of our humanity.

Jerico Contemporary
Until 17 November, 2018
Sydney

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