Ambohimanga Series | beverleyjohnson

Ambohimanga

The paintings in this series are all inspired by the walls of the Queen's Palace at Ambohimanga in Madagascar. I visited Madagascar in 2022 and immediately fell in love with the colourful, ancient buildings in the capital, Antananarivo. The walls of the Queen's Palace are particularly fascinating. Black patches have spread across one wall, while areas of cream-coloured paint have cracked and peeled, leaving abstract marks reminiscent of landscape. Ambohimanga is the spiritual capital of Madagascar, where pilgrims come to pray and honour their ancestors. Visitors from around the world enjoy the quiet beauty and sense of history here. The paintings explore the marks and texture left by weather and time on the walls of the site.

These works start from a black background and have layers of gold and copper paint as well as creamy impasto, which give the paintings a depth that reflects how the walls of the palace have weathered and changed with the passing of the centuries.

Ambohimanga 10

A bright and fresh painting to add light and colour to an art collection. Its small size means it would look good in a cosy space or grouped with other artworks.

Mixed media on wooden board
30 x 30 cm

350 euros

A middle-sized abstract painting in black, gold and cream

Ambohimanga 4

The Queen's palace at Ambohimanga in Madagascar inspired this abstract painting, which features a rich interplay of colours and textures. I was drawn to the dark colours in the wall of the palace coupled with the creamy plaster that has cracked and fallen away leaving interesting patterns. The painting has layers of fluid gold paint printed on a dark background. Areas of thicker paint and splashes of vibrant blue add interest. It is a small painting that would look lovely in a cosy corner of a living room. It could be hung on its own or with another painting from the Ambohimanga series.

Mixed media on linen
40 x 40 cm

A square painting with beautiful and fascinating marks in black, gold and copper paint

Ambohimanga 2

This striking artwork was inspired by the wall of the royal palace of Ambohimanga in Madagascar. I love the dark colours in the wall coupled with the creamy plaster that has cracked and fallen away leaving interesting patterns. The painting features layers of fluid gold paint printed on a dark background. Areas of thicker paint and splashes of vibrant blue add interest. It is a small painting that would look lovely in a cosy corner of a living room. Ready to hang.

Mixed media on linen
40 x 40 cm

BJ

BEVERLEY JOHNSON

Ambohimanga