Geoff Thornley now represented by Fox/Jensen and Jensen

In his essay First Thing, Justin Paton chose to describe Geoff Thornley's paintings as having a kind of "seductive reserve". This seemingly contradictory phrase is in fact spot-on. The balance of chromatic, rhythmic and material seduction is held carefully in balance in the work by a knowing reserve.

Free of gratuitous or false risk taking and theatre, he has approached the making of his work in an orderly but open way. Cognisant of paintings' western tradition and the heavy aspirations of modernism, his practice is leavened with the dimension given by a deep awareness of an aesthetic history that steps seamlessly into much older, eastern traditions. This awareness alleviates the weight and heady claims of modernism and allows his painting to breath in a space that is opened up by this broader cultural and attenuated temporal embrace.

His capacity to reveal a fluttering light and a kind of sonic atmosphere that are held within the slowly established layers of paint sets his practice aside. There is plenitude and abundance in his painting - which in others might easily tip into the grandiose. But in Geoff Thornley's hands the lyricism of colour and gesture find an equanimity and poise. This is a rare and dignified practice.

JENSEN GALLERY in Sydney and FOX/JENSEN Auckland are honoured to be representing the paintings of Geoff Thornley. Dates for exhibitions in both countries will be made public in time, however we are delighted to be presenting a major Mimesis Series painting at the Auckland Art Fair on August 4th.

AJ & EF.