The representation of complex concepts and ideas conveyed through simple lines is the focus of Alex Jowett‘s incredible works, now showing at Galerie Nicolas Robert.

Jowett is well known as a photographer and writer, and his work has taken him on many travels around the world filing his head with visions of seascapes. In this current collection, the artist worked with ink and tempera on canvas and paper.

Upon first glance one may interpret Jowett’s works as simple line drawings, but the artist is quick to point out that he views his creative process as a meditation. In fact, the muted colours and the repetition of lines are meant to place the viewer on a beach, looking out in front of them and contemplating the horizon.

After staring at the image for a while, the separation between sea and sky become clear, you can almost hear the waves quietly rushing up the beach while the horizon remains calm.

One of the more interesting pieces was the set of three paintings hung together entitled Hommage to the Ocean (triptyque) drawn with black ink on white paper. This work was an elegant rendition of a sunrise, in which Jowett maintains a set number of lines in all three pieces. By varying the distance of the lines he is able to mimic the shadows cast during an early morning sunrise, the light barely perceptible around you. By the third piece Jowett shows the power of the sun splitting the horizon and making a distinct separation of the two hemispheres, giving a clear impression of the sun perched up high in a cloudless sky.

The most fascinating creation in this collection by far is the piece titled Isla Negra, which like its other counterparts is made with the same repetition of determined lines. This time Jowett makes a selection of lines thicker at certain points and later thins them out. In standing back from the work and looking at it you can literally see movement – lines transform into  clouds and waves upon the ocean…incredible!

For the piece titled With My Back To The World Jowett spread primer on the canvas before applying the ink to emphasize the impact of the lines.

This series of works could at first glance be considered purely abstract, but I think the artist has used simple lines to create a series of representational works that are fully fleshed out images of a watery landscape. A show that is definitely worth seeing.

Galerie Nicolas Robert, space 524
Alex Jowett
Beyond the Horizon
January 26 – March 2, 2013
www.galerienicolasrobert.com