Jason Greig's sinister souls on show
The first survey exhibition of Jason Greig's foreboding, otherworldly landscapes, seascapes and figures reveals a sinister side of the human psyche.
The free show, called The Devil Made Me Do It, is on at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu until 7 May. Jason Greig was born in Timaru in 1963 and graduated from the University of Canterbury in 1985 with a diploma in Fine Arts with honours in engraving.
The monoprint technique, for which Greig is renowned, has been of primary interest to the artist over the past 13 years. Monoprints — unique one-off prints — involve drawing and painting with tactile ink and are very tonal. They suit Greig's dark subject matter.
Greig is also strongly influenced by music, especially the electric guitar sounds found in heavy metal, which he often listens to when working on his monoprints. "The thing that got me going was Black Sabbath. It was fuel; stuff to chew on, the imagery and weight of it," he says. "It made me want to draw stuff. I do heavy, laden drawings, dense. When I hear really loud guitars it gives me the same sort of feeling. It makes me feel good. It's as simple as that."
Greig plays electric guitar with fellow artists Ronnie van Hout and Mark Whyte in Christchurch band Into the Void. They are playing at the Gallery on 29 March, from 6pm.
- Related events: Meet the artist on 15 March at 6pm, Into the Void play from 6pm on 29 March and broadcaster Marty Duda discusses "bad boys' music" at 6pm on 3 May.
Seven Years of Labour for the Instruments of Time — 2003, the artist's private collection.
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