Beyond Words: Gene A'hern
For many people, dyslexia represents an eternal struggle for comprehension in a world of words. But for one singular young man, dyslexia bestowed upon him a unique gift which he later transformed into an extraordinary talent. The name of this amazing human is Gene A’hern, and this is his story.
It all began 12 years ago when Gene was at school. It was not a place he particularly liked as he had to battle with words on a daily basis as a result of an, as yet undiagnosed, dyslexia. But amidst all the misery, there was one class that offered a ray of hope. Art. Gene was lucky enough to have art teachers that spotted his talent and encouraged him to pursue it, to immerse himself in it and ultimately, to devote his life to it. And it was whilst Gene was engaged in this journey of self-discovery that he discovered something unique about his dyslexia. In the world of words and letters, dyslexia imparted a profound blindness that rendered comprehension almost impossible.
But in the world of visuals, quite the opposite happened. His dyslexia enabled him to see every leaf, branch, pattern and shade in overwhelming, yet fascinating detail. He was able to draw from the depth of his subconscious and do work that was honest and emotive. A reflection not of the world as we see it, but of how he saw it through the lens of dyslexia. And it was this unique perspective, coupled with a boyhood spent in the Blue Mountains that made Gene the artist he is today.
Gene’s work is heavily influenced by the breathtaking landscapes he grew up in. In their wild and challenging environment, he finds comfort, inspiration and the raw materials for his art. The harshness of the bush, the extremes of weather, and the ever-changing colours of the air are all allowed to permeate his work, creating a canvas that reflects the essence of his home.
As Gene navigated the art world, struggles and successes unfolded. From selling his first painting to the challenges of the gallery system, each experience added layers to his artistic evolution. The pivotal moment came when mentor Stefan Simchowitz provided not only financial support but also a sanctuary to explore, experiment, and grow without the pressures of selling. With Stefan's guidance, Gene embraced a newfound freedom. The pressure to conform and produce market-friendly pieces lifted, allowing him to experiment with different mediums. From pigments to acrylic spray paint, his palette expanded, leading to unexpected artistic ventures.
Tufting, a recent addition to Gene's repertoire, stands as a testament to this newfound freedom. The art form, which involves the intricate process of creating textured surfaces with tufted yarn, represents a departure from traditional painting. The investment in this new medium was made possible by Stefan's unwavering support, creating yet another dimension to Gene's artistic expression.
Gene A’hern's artistic journey, deeply intertwined with the Blue Mountains, dyslexia, and family life, is a testament to the power of embracing one's unique perspective. As he continues to explore, adapt, and create, his art serves as a visual symphony of the untamed beauty that surrounds him. In the Blue Mountains, Gene has not only found his home but a canvas where every stroke tells a story of resilience, inspiration, and the unending dance of creativity.
At the core of A’hern’s practice is a deep engagement with drawing. Gestural marks are made with a combination of processes revealing an eruption of recognisable elements from his everyday landscape: mountain peaks, rain, sky, and bushland. Raw pigment is rubbed and spattered across the surface, muddying into mess and chaos. Revealing pulsating textures of rough coarseness and soft velvet, expanding and contracting over the canvas in a swirling mass reminiscent of Hans Hoffman’s ‘push and pull’ as bold colours energetically recede and advance across the surface.
Overflowing from the depths of his subconscious, A’hern’s work is honest and emotive, presenting an internal dialogue and automatic response to the real. Oscillating between abstraction and landscape, portrait and still life painting, his work is arbitrarily engaged in modernist painting yet looks inward to echo a unique pictorial language, as depth and movement reveal a lyrical illustration of place.
