In a singular painting, Mary Jane Ansell can convey a love story as epic as one you’d find in any best-selling romantic novel. Love’s Bright Armour I depicts a youthful looking couple who share a strikingly ethereal beauty. Together they stand, arms wrapped tightly around one another as a somber battle scene rages on behind them. Despite the horrors they face, they’re protected by a force stronger than any amount of weaponry—love.
It’s the perfect opener for Ansell’s latest series—also titled Love’s Bright Armour—debuting at Arcadia Contemporary on September 12 and where it will hang through October 31.
Loves Bright Armour I, oil on aluminum panel, 21"
“During the process of creating the works in the show I lost someone very close to me, reminding me how precarious and vital love is,” says Ansell. “The theme of the show celebrates love, and the protection and strength it affords us.”The internationally recognized England-based artist also drew on broader historical themes to create this anthology, referencing Greek and Roman mythology and the 17th and 18th centuries.
Lovers Eye, oil on aluminum panel, 12"
“As I mentioned, a significant influence was the loss of someone very close to me, who embodied the extraordinary strength and leadership of women,” she says. “I wanted to capture and celebrate this strength, showing young girls reveling in their power and exploring their own narratives. Additionally, the symbolism and narratives of Greek and Roman myths have always fascinated me, blending these ancient symbols with modern contexts to explore themes of love, relationships and inner strength.”
Much like falling in love, the process of creating an oil painting is a delicate one, requiring a steady hand, intentionality and patience. In contrast to the sensitive nature of oil painting is the artist’s canvas of choice, aluminum panel, which symbolizes the strength and durability found within.
Loves Bright Armour II, oil on aluminum panel, 197/10 x 154/5"
Further illuminating these themes is Love’s Bright Armour II, the sequel to the first piece in the series.
In it, we see the same woman that is portrayed in its predecessor, only this time she stands alone, outfitted in armor. No longer is she reliant on her partner, carrying on in battle without his presence. Love—and subsequently loss—fuel her perseverence.
“Her expression is calm and composed, despite the turmoil around her, reminding us that we can’t always tell what battles are being fought and the courage it takes to face them,” says Ansell.
Another stunning portrait, Galleon 1,is a tondo with a diameter of 15 inches.
Autumnia, oil on aluminum panel, 20 x15"
“I’ve always been fascinated by the character of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt,” says the artist. “She’s associated with nature, independence and creativity, and was considered a protector of women and girls. Her likeness recurs in the show in several guises. Here, a young woman wears a crescent moon necklace, one of Artemis’s symbols. The clouds and stormy sea suggest that nature can turn at any moment.”
Likewise, the Lovers’ Eyes miniseries takes its cues from ancient history. “It is inspired by a historical tradition where miniature paintings of lovers’ eyes were exchanged as tokens of affection in the 17th and 18th centuries,” says Ansell.
Galleon 1, oil on aluminum panel, 15"
“These miniature portraits served a dual purpose: they were a secret reminder of the lover’s affection and an entreaty to be true. This idea emerged while working with a wonderful model during a painting retreat I gave in Tuscany a couple of years ago. The model’s boyfriend had painted his eye as a gift, placing it in a tiny gilded oval frame. I was struck by what a symbolic and intimate gift it was, and how gestures like this echo through generations. There’s something deeply romantic but ever so slightly dark about them at the same time, which I love.”
Asterales, oil on aluminum panel, 30 x 30"
The completion of Love’s Bright Armour marks the end of a formative chapter in the artist’s life. “Putting this collection together has been an emotional journey,” she says. “Some pieces, like the largest painting inspired by Alice in Wonderland, have been years in the making. The rest of the collection was created during a challenging year. In times like these, my studio is a place of solace. I feel very grateful to have a way to channel emotions and experiences into my work, translating them into visual narratives that I hope will speak to others about resilience and strength.”
Love’s Bright Armour opens with a reception on September 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Arcadia Contemporary.
Arcadia Contemporary 421 W. Broadway • New York, NY 10012 • (646) 861-3941 • www.arcadiacontemporary.com
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