Kevin McKay invites us into a "liminal space in which to linger"
Both of these artists are very present in their paintings and both invite the viewers to join them in the narratives which are a fundamental element of their visual interpretations of their seaside environment.
Because of their presence, we the viewers also become immersed in the scene, be it a bold seascape as created by Jay or an urban landscape as created by Kevin.
In preparing and presenting the posts over the past few days I have metaphorically walked the streets of Sydney (the City by the Sea) with Kevin and walked the shoreline with Jay.
But today Kevin invites us through his painting Pedestrian Bridge - Bondi to linger, and not only to linger, but to linger in liminal space upon this bridge!!
Kevin explains to us that:
The pedestrian bridge at Bondi has been transporting visitors to the beach for a century. I associate its art deco curves with magic childhood memories of sand and surf, even if this belies its utilitarian function in crossing a parking station. Now I see a liminal space in which to linger.
This comment by Kevin ties in beautifully with my comments in the post about Jay's seascapes where I commented that: As the sea washes in and out, rises and falls - against resistant rocks or the tractable sand - Jay provokes in each of us memories of our experiences with the sea and its shores.
We become immersed in childhood memories of scrambling over the rocks ...
or looking down on the beach from above - imagining the soft sand beneath your feet...
As I imagine crossing the Pedestrian Bridge - Bondi (above) I am transported back to my childhood and wonderful holidays spent with my uncle - and coincidentally the beach outings were always at Bondi!
It is a very easy mental step for me to take as I am sure I have walked over this bridge many times in the past and Kevin's painting easily evokes childhood memories which segue into other memories associated with this time in my life.
Tragically this uncle died very young and the physical contact was broken but it is true that people do live on in us and today as I linger in my liminal space on Kevin McKay's bridge I reflect on the influence my uncle had on me and my life.
I come from a very artistic family where everybody on both my maternal and paternal side have been engaged in creative activities of all kinds. After serving from the age of 20 years in the airforce during WWII my uncle toured the world for about 6 years mainly in Europe and especially England and Scotland where our ancestoral roots can be found.
When I was a teenager my uncle gave me two prints telling me that these had been done by a very special artist from Manchester in England where some of my ancestors lived. The artist was Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887-1976) . I remember the day I got the prints which inspired me to start sketching Lowry people and Lowry dogs - and opened wide the door to the expression of art not just the appreciation of the world of art.
Please join Kevin and me in accepting the invitation by adding your comments as you linger in liminal space on the Pedestrian Bridge - Bondi: or for that matter, any bridge you might like to traverse.
Post Script
I will showcase some of the paintings of Laurence Lowry very soon so that you can continue this journey with me.