As a local artist and surfer, White Bluff is a place that JP Willis knows well - from the water and from the beach.
Born in the UK, JP Willis studied Fine Art and Printmaking at Royal West of England Academy of Art, and the University of the West of England where he completed a BA (Hons) Fine Art and Masters in Printmaking. He moved to the north coast of New South Wales in 2000 and began teaching at the North Coast Institute of TAFE from 2002 till 2012. Now. Willis solely devotes his time to his self-contained, uncompromising and contemporary arts practice.
Since then, Willis’ steady output has created a body of stunning work laced through with dystopian themes: the inevitability of the cruel twist, examining the world around him with a painter’s sensibility and a sharp eye.
“I have worked in many mediums over the last few decades but, the themes have always remained consistent, the premise, beauty.
“My recent Works in the Utopia series (above) portray Utopian ideals and Arcadian ideals of splendor and I think that these philosophies fit in perfectly with the White Bluff Project. I have been immersed in that site’s mysteries and allure. I have used the headland as an observation spot many times and this now relates directly to my intentions in this project, to look to the skies from this spot.”
JP Willis has exhibited widely overseas in countries that include UK, USA, Netherlands and Russia and has works held in collections internationally and domestically including Tate Britain (UK), Art Gallery of New South Wales (Australia), The British Library (UK), Print Council of Australia (Australia), Queensland State Library (Australia), University of Washington (USA) and the AKI Academy of Art & Design (The Netherlands) to name a few. Now he will join the team of collaborators exhibiting their final works for The White Bluff Project in an exhibition at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery from October 30, 2021 until January 15, 2022.
“This is a fantastic project,” Willis adds. “It brings together many creatives, working in many mediums. The idea excites and inspires me to work with other artists and extend my process as well as complimenting my collaborators intentions.”