I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Chuck Mayfield before his exhibition “INITIATION”, at BSIDE Gallery next Friday 7th of October.

To get a personal story behind each piece really enabled me to have a deeper connection with both the artist and his works, especially one of his pieces which was a direct reflection of my current journey.

PRESS RELEASE
INITIATION
by Chuck Mayfield

OPENING FRIDAY 7th OCTOBER

‘INITIATION’ documents an artists desire to uncover his personal expression of manhood. Navigating through social expectations of masculinity and his own turbulent past, Chuck goes on a visual journey exploring myths, masculine archetypes and various practices of introspection. In this work he seeks deeper self awareness, conducting an initiation that our culture did not provide.

We invite you to witness this journey through his paintings and be inspired to question and discuss your own experience and ideas of what it means to be a man.

“There are various reasons why the subject of masculinity has drawn my attention enough to inspire a body of artwork. At a personal level I’ve come to understand that there are problems in my life which are rooted in my masculine identity, and their truths can only be unveiled by approaching them as such.

It has also become increasingly prevalent that these issues are widespread throughout societies world wide. It is my hope that these works encourage people to address and explore this topic, to deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other, and the ways in which we relate.

The initiation into manhood is one of the most significant milestones in male development, just as its absence can be the most significant struggle. Some cultures consciously guide the development of the masculine role more than others. I feel that in my culture, without a distinct initiation process, there is very little of this conscious guidance. This contributes to a toxic male culture which causes damage and suffering in men’s relationships with themselves and others. I feel this situation needs healing and awareness for the benefit of all people.

My approach has been to immerse myself in this topic of the masculine. Seeking all kinds of information and experiences, from sources and viewpoints old and new, and allowing a path to unfold before me. Starting with a basic format of three stages: assessing the present, walking the path, and arriving. As I progressed through the stages certain concepts prevailed and became subjects for each piece. This resulted in a cycle of further study informing the piece, which would in turn, inform more study, and the journey continues.

I have read and listened to books, watched films and documentaries, listened to podcasts and talks, attended workshops, talked with practitioners in the field of self development and tantra, undertaken healing practices, and partaken in group and personal rituals. This has all happened during the painting process, over a period of nine weeks.

This series of paintings has been developed intuitively, as a bi product of my experience. A self prescribed, self developed initiation, documented in paint with the intention to share. ” – Chuck Mayfield

Who: Chuck Mayfield.

What: Initiation.

Where: BSIDE Gallery, 121 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

When: This Friday 7th October, from 6pm

Facebook event here