The Threshold

The Threshold emerged intuitively from an abstract field of turquoise, red, pink and white. Two figures gradually became apparent, creating an unexpected sense of relationship and psychological tension. Rather than fully resolving them, I retained the spontaneous marks and areas of abstraction that gave rise to the figures. The resulting work sits between portraiture and abstraction, leaving the nature of their encounter open to interpretation.

Follow

Jai Waters is a figurative artist and writer based in Woolgoolga on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.

Her paintings begin with abstract marks and layered underpainting. Working intuitively, she allows faces, figures and relationships to emerge rather than beginning with a predetermined subject. Each painting develops through a process of discovery, retaining traces of the marks, interruptions and decisions from which the image emerged.

Writing has become an integral part of her practice. Through paintings, poems and prose, Jai explores presence, relationships and the emotional lives suggested by the figures that appear through the work.

Her work has been exhibited in regional and metropolitan galleries and is held in private collections throughout Australia.