Jaq Belcher

Jaq Belcher's work explores alternative states of consciousness, raising forms from single sheets of white paper. From a starting point onwards the practice of mindfulness, and concentration, has many points at which it can deviate. The focus for her is on the process of reduction and repetition, the manipulation of matter. This can be seen as a practice which allows, or requires, stillness. The process hones concentration and therefore the power of the mind through focus.

Belcher's exploration of this idea began taking a visual direction when she was pondering the beauty of a single expanse of white paper. How can one add to such a simple and beautiful void? So she began to do the opposite, taking away from it by slicing out shapes. The shapes were evocative of the mental process and the repetitive cognition in bringing oneself to focus, and focus, and focus. The intersection of two circles and the point to line to point of simple geometric forms allows for the idea of taking from something as simple as a circle, and not adding to it; again the process of taking from, not adding to.

The resulting works are beautifully patterned and complex. They are Belcher's proclamation if you will to the power of silence and the noise in the void. The works testify to the idea of 'being' in the moment, the idea of staying in the 'now', the 'present'. Belcher references ideas in eastern and western meditation practices, also spiritual  alchemy, and esoteric philosophy.

Belcher was born in Australia, and currently lives and works in New York City.  She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and her Master of Arts Administration from the University of New South Wales College of Fine Arts.

Selected Exhibitions

2011    Suchness, Solo Show, Tinney Contemporary, Nashville, TN

           Sonia Gechtoff, National Academy, NY, NY

           White-Hot, Thatcher Projects, Chelsea, NY

           Common Ground, Argazzi Art, Lakeville, CT

           The White Show; Subtlety in the Age of Specticle, Clarion University Gallery, PA

           Divergent Affinities, curated by Barbara Harberger, Wexler Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2010    The West at Sunset, Abrons Art Center, Lower East Side, NY

            Cut It Up, Ann St. Gallery, Newburgh, NY

2009    Drawing, Margaret Thatcher Projects, Chelsea, NY

           Cutters, Hunterdon Museum of Art, Clinton, NJ and Hunter College Gallery, New York, NY

2008    Process/Presence, Art League of Long Island, Long Island, NY

           183rd Annual: An Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Art, National Academy of Design, NY

           Solos, Haven Arts, Bronx, NY

           White Out, 3 East 66th St., New York, NY

           Drawing Revealed, Garrison Art Center, Garrison, NY

2007    Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts open studio, New York, NY

           Bronx Studio Art Tours, Bronx, New York

2006    Paperworks, Charles Hewitt Gallery, Sydney, Australia

           13 Women on 13 Walls, Haven Gallery, Bronx, NY

           Slowly, Slowly, Kudos Gallery, Sydney, Australia

2005    Visual Aids, Robert Miller Gallery, Chelsea, NY

           Solo Exhibition, Preliminary Realms, Haven Gallery, Bronx, NY

           Cork Gallery, Lincoln Center, New York, NY