Art and music are inextricably linked. Both are expressions of more than the surface and both are about evoking feeling from the viewer or the listener. London contemporary artist Joanna Gilbert, is using this link to her advantage with a new project from
Halo Records. She has been invited to provide the art design for a CD single and the video for, ‘Hellmand’, the debut single from new album ‘Paradox’.
Paradox is co-written by producer and writer Mike Karl and Tally Spencer, former lead singer of JYNXT, who are the offspring of Fleetwood Mac’s Jeremy Spencer. Mike has returned to song writing after many years and is looking forward to working with emerging talents. Previously Mike has worked with the likes of Dr Hook, Spooky Tooth, Camel and Don Everly. Halo Management with its production arm (Aries) was created to represent and progress bands to higher levels through effective producing, promoting, gigging, obtaining recording contracts and marketing and giving small independents a place to distribute and promote their work.
Mike was very impressed with Joanna’s recent work, ‘
Painting Peace’ and felt that her art style would be well suited the messages conveyed by the tracks on ‘Paradox’. Mike has watched Joanna’s talent grow from strength to strength as she becomes a noticeable voice in the art world and is very excited by the possibilities of working with an up and coming art star, to promote the messages of a new album. He believes in the ‘true spirit of music’ and Joanna’s art expresses that spirit.
‘Paradox’ will be released in Summer 2010, and will coincide with Joanna Gilbert’s NOW! Exhibition; a perfect mixture of art and music collaboration and creativity. Joanna is looking forward to exhibiting a varied and emotive collection where there will be subject matter to suit everyone. She has recently reworked her abstract ideas, and fallen in love again with the use of colour and texture, as well as developing her pop art masterpiece range. Her style lends itself to creating art which has widespread commercial and personal appeal and she is not afraid to experiment with controversial subject matter.
The album concept is very much in line with Joanna’s visual messaging and how what happens in the present shapes our futures.“My images are linked to what I feel strongly about. I have young children. I’m conscious of what affects us now, so this is where the inspiration is coming from for my paintings”.
Watching her at work, you can feel the creative energy she puts into every piece. Joanna’s recent success with ‘Painting Peace’ has led to her becoming a talent to look out for. Her style is unique and strong. Her ideas lead to striking but evocative images, yet the subject matter cannot help but make you think. This work has led her to connect very strongly with Israel and her roots as a Jewish artist.
Having the time to find the right images to get the NOW! Collection started has proven to be a challenge for Joanna. Ideally she would go to Israel and observe through artists eyes, photographing images of people and places for use as the basis of her collection. She has had to find other ways, since the demands of family life do not allow such freedom.
“I am a working mother, like many others. I have so many ideas to paint and also love asking my followers for inspiration, but I juggle children and family life with getting the ideas onto canvas”, she says.
A recent meeting with photographer, Maurice Selwyn, of
Mydas Photography has meant she now has someone who can become her eyes while she creates the art. Maurice is one of London’s most experienced wedding, event and barmitzvah image creators. His talent is in producing images which are there forever; capturing a moment. As well as his renowned event photography, Maurice has many images he has captured of faces and places which translate perfectly into the kind of material Joanna is looking for.
The synergy between Joanna and Maurice has lead to collaboration in image production between expert photographer and emerging artistic talent. Joanna was captivated by Maurice’s images of father and sons, celebrations and people caught unaware of the camera and off guard. Maurice’s evocative images are to become the food for thought for Joanna’s developing collection and there will be bright future for the two, to include joint projects.
Ideas and creative energy, as well as commercial appeal are abundant for Joanna and she is looking to grow her collection for the future, but very much focus on now.
For your own work of art by Joanna Gilbert, email your enquiries to info@joannagilbert.com
