Page 64 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 52

TESS JARAY
The Influence of Heritage in Contemporary Art
TESS JARAY A TRAILBLAZER IN ABSTRACT ART
Tess Jaray’s work intricately combines her heritage, architectural inf- luence, and minimalism, continuously pushing abstract art’s boundaries
Twhile reshaping perceptions and nurturing new generations of artists.
ess Jaray has long stood as a for- midable presence in the world of contemporary abstract art, with a distinguished career spanning over
Field painting. Notably, Jaray became the first female lecturer at the Slade School, a significant milestone that opened doors for women in art education and inspired future generations of artists.
six decades. Her work continues to innovate Jaray’s public commissions have left a las-
ART & CULTURE
Having studied at the prestigious Saint Martin’s School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art, Jaray established a foundation for her practice that defies simple catego- rization. Her art skillfully weaves together elements of Op Art, Minimalism, and Colour
and push boundaries, blending personal history with creative exploration. Born in Vi- enna in 1937, Jaray’s early life was marked by the upheaval of World War II, leading her family to seek refuge in the United King- dom. Her art is a reflection of this journey, intertwining her past with a forward-looking aesthetic vision.
ting mark on the UK’s landscape, redefining spaces such as Birmingham’s Centenary Square and London’s Victoria Station. Her work merges art and architecture, creating environments that are both transformative and enduring.
Her paintings are known for their ability to evoke an atmosphere that feels both solid and ethereal, a product of her unique appro- ach to space and form. Drawing inspiration from Italian Renaissance and Middle Eastern architecture, her compositions utilize vibrant color palettes and geometric motifs. These elements explore repetition and isolation
64 II Reader’s House
Tess Jaray, renowned for her innovative abstract art, reflects on a lifelong journey through space, geometry, and color.
It’s not in any way deliberate that when I’m painting
I set out to create space. It’s all part of a process."
Portrait photo by Jack Edwards