A book of The Diamond Series paintings by Neil Oram. These were painted from 1993 to 2020
This Diamond Series is the fruit of a very restrictive practice
which demanded an inspired dedication to the art of concentrated
'looking'.
Through openly meeting this demand--- these paintings comprising 'The Diamond Series'--- offer an opportunity to reap the rewards of old fashioned contemplation.
It would be a mistake to claim these geometric arrangements are no more than simply coloured-in geometrical shapes.
Oram succeeds in making fruitful the viewer's efforts to distinguish and observe the variety within the geometry. Patterns reveal themselves, different groupings of the colours attract the eye, and yet nothing remains unchanging. Other colours gain one's attention and a new pattern will supersede the first impression. Thus observation becomes meditation.
Even so, none of the paintings comprising 'The Diamond Series' are examples of Mandala paintings. They are not Mandalas ... and transcend all narratives--- including the notion that universal patterns are the deep foundation of these paintings.
The real foundation of these paintings, is the drive to liberate colour from all geometrical patterns. From all stale shapes.
Mandalas have a purpose.
These paintings have no purpose except to serve the essence of beauty.

Neil Oram’s picture-scapes consist of squares and triangles, tipped-up to create diamond shaped configurations of carefully mapped-out colours.

Such a restrictive practice demands inspired dedication and Oram confronts the challenge with the ambition that his audience too, will take up the challenge of concentrated looking, and thereby reap the rewards of old fashioned contemplation.

It would be a mistake to claim these geometric arrangements are simple, straight forward and simply coloured-in. Oram is no mathematician, nor is he a ‘hard-edge’ painter. The geometric shapes here can be roughly drawn and coloured-in with a light touch, colours chos