New Arrivals - Aldo Balding 2013

 

Christopher Møller Art                               New Arrivals - January

'Philosophers at the Rialto', oil on canvas, 50x70cm, R65 000

This the latest work by Aldo Balding, not originally destined for South Africa. Balding often uses members of his family within his work. In this scene, it is his daughter and her boyfriend. His intention is to create an air of mystery within the scene. The figures are meant to be ambiguous, that you the viewer are on the outside looking in. You have caught the couple in a quite moment of conversation or reflection. Note: the little girl in the pink dress hiding behind the column in the background.

'Moments of indecision', oil on canvas, 41x33cm, R40 000 (Detail)

One gets a sense of timelessness with his work.  Balding creates a sense of nostalgia, how it is human nature to look back at the past with a certain sense of ease that life was simpler. It is these emotions expressed by ‘Romanticism’,one of the artists favourite periods, that articulates in his work creating a fascinating mood, through his use of movement, colour and drama.

'Agent Provocater', oil on canvas, 55x44cm, R48 000 (Detail)

Agent Provocateur, as the title suggests a moment before an interaction. The antagonist, a beautifully dressed woman walking up the stairwell with a bottle of wine. The artist cuts off her face, adding to the annominity of the figure and what lies at the top of the stairwell.

'Au Jardin', oil on canvas, 35x45cm, R46 000

When painting “Au Jardin”, Balding started with the two figures only deciding on the background at the end. The Venetian setting adds to the glamour of the smartly dressed figures. It could almost be a scene out of the Federico Fellini 1960’s film ‘Le Dolce Vita’ .

'Cafe Rouge', oil on canvas, 41x33cm, R40 000 (Detail)

The interaction of Balding’s figurative paintings as they engage with each other in a painted scenario, creates a narrative element. There is an unspoken dialogue, as their eyes meet creating tension.  Alfred Hitchcock once said: “If it's a good movie, the sound could go off and the audience would still have a perfectly clear idea of what was going on.” Balding, who is a great movie fan, uses the same technique within his work.

'Moments before decision', oil on canvas, 40x30cm,R40 000 (Detail)

This scene depicts Pierre, a reoccurring model, Balding uses in his paintings. Pierre is a waiter from the local village where the artist lives. He will often paint members of his family or reuses existing models those body profiles he is familiar with.

Forthcoming  Exhibitions: 'Barry Jackson' -   A solo exhibtion. 31 January - 21 February, 2013. 'Carla van Zyl' - A  solo exhibition. 28 March - 18 April, 2013. 'Jaco Roux'- a solo exhibition, 17 October - 31 October, 2013. 'Äldo Balding' - a solo exhibition, 29 November - 23 December, 2013.