A review of C.
J.
Cairns 'The Pool'.
2012.
40 cm x 40 cm.
When viewing the piece for the first time, you are transfixed by a room with bright summery blue wallpaper and a clear, warm, blue sky painted in the first canvas harbouring the diver which leans against the wall.
However, you are also drawn to the brilliant red of the life buoy in the canvas on the floor, floating in what appears to be a dirty swimming pool.
As your eyes cast a curious gaze across the content of the piece you are confronted by a spiral copper pipe with a tap on the end.
To confuse the viewer further, there appears to be a shadow of pouring water from the tap, but no water emitting for the tap itself.
One is further confronted by the indiscreet presence of blue paint dripping from the pipes.
It would be safe to ask the question also, why was the water in the canvas below dirty? C.
J.
Cairns has placed the paintings within the piece at such an angle as to suggest that the first painting of the 1930s diver is about to dive into the second canvas on the floor.
There is a clearness of line and a brilliance of colour which places it within a season of warm vibrancy.
This is interesting in itself, as blue is a cool colour, within this piece there is a distinct perception of summer warmth.
My eyes are constantly drawn to the dominance of the brilliant red and white buoy; I am then swept up to view the diver in her red swimwear.
Posing ready to dive, we are lead to believe that there is a possibility of the diver actually leaving one painting and entering another.
Whether the diver wants to enter the dirty tiled pool below her is the decision of the diver.
There is no water on the floor of the room, which again consolidates the perception that the canvas on the floor is just that, a canvas and not a swimming pool.
Both the canvas' together give the perception of activity, but it is the twisted pipe and pouring water shadows that gives the piece a surreal feel.
It is not the surrealist feel of Dali, nor the perception of Magritte.
When I view this piece I am drawn into the story.
I see, smell and hear the water sloshing around in the canvas on the floor.
I almost anticipate the splash as the diver dives from the board surrounded by clouds into the canvas below.
The colours of the piece made me think and feel the warmth of summer, but I am still curious as to the meaning of the spiralling pipes and taps that only emits watery shadows.
Is there a symbolic reason behind it or does it fill a space? There is crispness to the images, a wearing of the canvas' which make them more realistic than surreal, but the composition is definitely directed towards the perception of the pieces rather than the reality.
Whether this is a piece of unique significance only time will tell.
C.
J.
Cairns' work is part of the new wave of surrealist art.
The need to create work that questions society as many of her pieces do, in a subtle way can be seen in many pieces of this decade.
With an approach to creating surrealist pieces that can be hanged on most walls and not just in museums.
Personally as a collector I would follow C.
J.
Cairns' career as her work develops and evolves into a collectable artist.
Overall, I enjoyed this piece, I found it warm, vibrant with an air of activity.
The blues reminded me of warm summer days by the swimming pool or beach with wispy clouds dotting the sky.
Would I hang this piece, yes I would, but I would hang it in a room that is full of light adding to the positive feelings it gives me.