Painting by Jo Stacey 53 Artworks Sold

Behind These Eyes

Oil, Canvas, Framed by Artist

115cm (W) x 81cm (H) x 4.5cm (D)

Certificate of Authenticity Included

Framed by Artist

A$3,970

Arrives 19–21 Sep

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Artwork Description

The ocean is deeply misunderstood (pun intended). It is a world unto itself. Just as you are. The deep power that is not of you and yet is, stirs within you. There are those who will seek to journey your currents. But they will misunderstand you. They already have. Your endless curiosity and desire to experience and understand all the facets of a new skill or mode of being or your spouse or even the concept of yourself will be interpreted as your thinking you know it all. Your striving for excellence in all things and in others will be seen as haughty. These same people will see pain and confusion as evil toxicity. There will be no compassion. They'll view expressed concern as character assassination. And you mustn't attempt to save it. Release their vessel from your waters.
Do you remember the story of the woman at the kitchen window complaining to her husband about the neighbours hanging dirty washing on their clothes line? Again and again she laughed at and scorned the other woman for failing to clean her clothes properly. Finally the day came when the neighbour hung her washing and it was clean! She called her husband over for a viewing. Look! She's finally worked out how to wash her clothes! I wonder what changed. He said, honey, I washed our windows.
And you know, so often that is all it really comes down to. One person can walk into a home and see it as beautiful, inviting, filled with its own set of familial complications and pressures, but still filled with love. Another will walk in and see a heavy evil.
One can see a photo of someone and think them terrified. Some months later when they've released their own terrors they look again and the the individual was simply donning an expression of curiosity.
I can feel you. I know you've released those terrors. You're forever growing, changing, moving. Your heart is pure and vibrant. It's an ocean inside of you. I can see it behind your eyes. Be. Be all that you were created to be.

Artist Bio

Collected both nationally and internationally New Zealand born Australian based multi award-winning artist Jo S. Stacey has work held in private collections in six countries across the globe. Her work has also been leased privately to help showcase multi-million dollar properties here in Australia. In 2023 her piece "Three Clydes" won best in show (AU$1,000) at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and "Not Through Me" won the figurative section (AU$2,000). This year her work "Behind These Eyes" won best in show at the 1770 Art Show judged by Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Assistant Director Tarragh Cunningham (AU$5,000).
Jo is faith driven with a passion for life and is inspired by simple moments in time that present themselves to us at any given moment. These brushes with life often feel magical or profound, and yet appear in seemingly ordinary environments to the watchful eye and waiting spirit. Sometimes they materialise in the back garden, a street corner, down at the beach while riding the horse, in our dreams or even in a conversation. These moments and conversations often feature in her work. We hope you enjoy.

Commissions

Jo's studio is in Queensland