SINGAPORE, (May 31, 2012) -- The Wendt Gallery, a premier purveyor of modern, contemporary and Asian art, is proud to unveil the latest piece by Jill Lena Ford, who recently joined the gallery’s stable of renowned artists. Titled “ Ho’oponopono,” Ford’s newest work pays homage to a concept of harmony well-known to natives of Hawaii, where the artist makes her home.

The title “reflects true spiritual essence, living in harmony with the community and family, guided and protected by our elders, ancestors and spiritual guides. It is what every Hawaiian strived to be,” says Ford, who has interpreted the concept in paint and organic materials found in her home state.

Swirls of color draw the viewer’s eye into the mixed-media work on canvas, which complements the artist’s oeuvre. Reminiscent of the symbol for yin and yang, the pattern of the painting is perfectly symmetrical, which further conveys balance, which is so germane to the definition of “Ho’oponopono.”

The strong horizontal composition is evocative of the sun and water of the Hawaiian islands with a golden hemisphere mirrored below by a blue-violet plane that could represent waves of the sea. Dominant spirals are outlined with tiny shells taken from pristine Polynesian beaches. Some are luminous as a string of pearls, while others are imprinted with their own natural patterns, which, when repeated in the motif of the work, provide additional harmony apropos of the title.

Ford is known for her extensive travels which yield inspiration and materials for new creations. She has amassed a body of work based on journeys to such disparate lands as Morocco, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. While on these artistic excursions, she collects organic objects such as shells, stones, sand, leaves and feathers, which become media for her work, which she further imbues with acrylics and oils. She strives not only to repurpose the natural objects but to evoke the landscapes, culture and spiritual essence of the places where they originated.

Her newest work continues to plumb the beauty and heritage of her home state, which has provided inspiration for her “Aloha Series.” Later this year, the accomplished artist will visit Nepal and Tibet, where she will assimilate the grand Himalayan landscape and immerse herself in Hinduism and Buddhism on a quest to find further stimuli for her artwork.

The Wendt Gallery plans an exhibition next winter of works inspired by Ford’s upcoming journeys.

The Wendt Gallery is an international dealer of fine art whose mission is to build important collections of artworks that offer opportunities of enjoyment and investment for patrons and collectors. You can view works by Jill Lena Ford and other leading artists on the gallery’s website, www.wendtgallery.com; or get more information by calling 877-936-3838, or emailing info@wendtgallery.com.

Singapore, May 13th, 2012 -- The Wendt Gallery, one of the nation's premier dealers of modern, contemporary, representational and Asian art, is proud to welcome Jill Lena Ford to its stable of fine artists as she prepares for a new exhibition of work based on her upcoming travels to Nepal and Tibet. Ford's vividly colored, organic mixed-media works are currently on view at the website of the gallery. by visiting www.wendtgallery.com.
"The gallery is thrilled to announce the inclusion of Jill into our modern art program," said Wendt Gallery President Joseph Manqueros. "Her work is fresh, invigorating, and reflects a spirit of adventure that we are sure collectors will appreciate."
From her home in Hawaii, Ford has traveled to the ends of the Earth to explore the rich cultures, vibrant colors and captivating landscapes of foreign lands, which inform her mixed-media works. Her artistic safaris yield a treasure trove of organic found objects -- stones, leaves, shells and feathers -- that she incorporates into her canvases, which are further imbued with oils and acrylics of bold colors and patterns evocative of the exotic countries she visits. The result is a series of works that reflect not only our planet's essential elements -- earth, wind, water and fire -- but also the spiritual essence of the places from which they came.
In addition to exploring her own Polynesian state, which resulted in her "Aloha Series," Ford has sought inspiration for her work in such far-flung locales as Thailand, Morocco, Indonesia and the Philippines. This year, her indefatigable spirit and unbridled wanderlust will land her in Nepal and Tibet, where she expects majestic Himalayan landscapes and deeply spiritual Hindu and Buddhist connections to profoundly influence her work.
"Inspiration will come from breathtaking mountain vistas and the spiritual heartbeat that pulsates throughout this part of the world," Ford said. "I will find it in the intricate designs on the Hindu temples and the hypnotic patterns of the Buddhist sand mandalas. It will come to me in the bold colors of the prayer flags waving in the wind and the festive spirit of the local celebrations; and, of course, it will come from the open hearts of all those whose paths I will cross along the way."
The Wendt Gallery plans an exhibition next winter of the artist's newest works, based on her forthcoming journeys. The Wendt Gallery is an international dealer of fine art whose mission is to build important collections of artworks that offer opportunities of enjoyment and investment for patrons and collectors. For more information, go to www.wendtgallery.com; call 877-936-3838; or email info@wendtgallery.com.