J P MEYER Kakunen (Boundlessness) (Set of 4 panels) Sold	J P MEYER Still Repeating Myself #1 (From set of five works)	J P MEYER Still Repeating Myself #2 (From set of five works)
J P MEYER Still Repeating Myself #5 (From set of five works)	J P MEYER Still Repeating Myself #3 (From set of five works)	J P MEYER Still Repeating Myself #4 (From set of five works)

'At present, my work is primarily concerned with the enactment and the ritual of mark-making as an intrinsic human activity and a meaningful practice. I am very interested in the origin, history and application of mark-making and more specifically in the relationship that exists between mark-making and ordinary consciousness. Although most of us write or draw on a daily basis in order to communicate, narrate, document or express ourselves, many cultures and traditions also use the process of mark-making, whether legible or abstract, as a means for mental development, self-investigation and contemplation. Examples are the calligraphy of Islam, the brushwork of Japan (sumi-e, hitsuzendo etc) and the mandala 'sand-painting' of Tibet, to mention only a few.

Joseph Beuys once said: 'Humans must learn to transcend their reality. They have to create a spiritual vehicle with which they can reach a completely different standpoint in the universe'. The creative process in general, and for me, repetitive mark-making in particular, is a very practical vehicle for developing concentration and cultivating an open, steady mind in order to observe, understand and transform my own continuously changing reality.

I draw inspiration from the ever- present cycles, repetitions, fractals and patterns that I notice in the natural world and, in my own human make-up, thought processes and behaviour. The development of stronger microscopes, telescopes and cameras increasingly demonstrates the prevalence of pattern in the universe, and highlight negative space as the omnipresent 'no-thing' within which the drama of form (positive space), evolves and exists.

The marks (squares, lines etc.) that I use for my work are chosen purely for their repetitive possibilities and are painted with a 'free hand', while the emerging rhythms are the result only of chance and eventuality.

Although my work is motivated by personal concepts and intentions, it does not necessarily aim to convey more than the dictation of a process - in my experience the very act of seeing can facilitate an inner response that is often infinitively more relevant than that of personal, social or cultural statements. What is important is that my work reflects my belief in the value of making art that embodies optimism, order and energy.'

Born in 1960, Meyer obtained a Diploma of fine Art with a distinction in Painting from the Foundation School of Art in Cape Town, where he studied from 1996 - 1999. Previously, he studied Social Work I and II at the University of the Orange Free State, and worked as a flight attendant for S.A. Airways. 2000 saw him travelling extensively in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Meyer participated in a variety of group exhibitions in 2003, including KRISP at Art.b in Bellville; TWEE SKILDERS at the KKNK; WHAT IS LIFE at the S.A. Museum in Cape Town; PUZZLE at the Rust en Vrede Gallery in Durbanville; and the BRETT KEBBLE AWARDS EXHIBITION at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. REFLECTIONS AT AVA (Association of Visual Arts), Cape Town was his first solo show that year.

His work hangs in the corporate collections of the Arabella Sheraton in Cape Town, and of Didata in London and in Johannesburg, as well as in numerous private collections.

Biography

Date of birth: 1960

2001 - date: Painting full-time
2000 Travelled in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal
1999 Obtained a Diploma of Fine Art: Painting, with distinction
1996 - 1999 Studied full-time at the Foundation School of Art, Cape Town
1981 - 1999 Worked as Flight Attendant with SA Airways
1979 - 1980 Studied Social Work I and II at the University of the OFS
1978 Matriculated

2004 Art Salon At The Bay, The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay
2003 Brett Kebble Awards Exhibition, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town
2003 Puzzle, Rust En Vrede Gallery, Durbanville
2003 What Is Life? S.A. Museum, Cape Town
2003 Twee Skilders, Kknk, Oudtshoorn
2003 Krisp, Art.B.Gallery, Bellville
2003 Art Salon At The Bay, The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay

Solo Exhibitions

2003 Reflections, Association of Visual Arts, Cape Town

Collections

Arabella Sheraton, Cape Town
Didata, London
Didata, Johannesburg