Bijoux by Junko O'Neill

About

The foundation of Junko O'Neill's work lies in the Japanese spatial and temporal concept of Ma, which considers negative space as having a form of existence, with space perceived alongside time. It is neither time alone nor space alone. Junko expresses this concept both in her figurative and abstract work.

In her abstract work, such as those shown at this exhibition, Bijoux, she experiments with ways to express space where time flows at a slower pace, detached from the rest not by a physical structure but by one's own perception.  Junko adds jewel-like translucence and depth to the space she creates on the two dimensional surface.  Similar to gem stones, bijoux, which encase time within them, she traps the space and time, creating a tense yet calm atmosphere at the same time.

Born in Tokyo, this UK based artist gained her MA and BA from Winchester School of Art, where she was given the Stephen Heffer Memorial Award in 2008 and was also shortlisted for the Celeste Prize 2011 and Kudos International 2013.  She has exhibited widely in the UK and abroad, including solo shows in London, Fragments of Time (2013) and Interlude (2014), group shows in Berlin and Florence and also several times at the London’s prestigious juried artist-led fair The Other Art Fair.