February 24 - Colour Literacy

Peter Travis was the guest on the morning interview with Margaret Throsby.

He was the guy who designed the speedo swimming costume in 1959 so that's why I've chosen to use this particular photo of him.

"Colour literacy" is an expression he invented and it describes the process of putting colours together so they make sense. He speaks of putting colours into phrases or sentences. As colours affect and change each other when they are put in close proximity then the quantity of a particular colour is as important as the colour itself. Any individual colour is reflected around whatever is nearby and therefore the groupings of colours and the light source shining on them is important too.

His most surprising statement was that colour doesn't actually exist in the world at all. Our brain makes colours when our eyes bring in the light. As colour is a result of ambient light then the colour of a paint sample in a paint shop is quite different from that same colour when it is in your home.

We tend to think that certain colour combinations to be harmonious as a rule but Peter believes that every combination can work if you understand them. It's all about the proportions of colours you use. Even tiny pieces of discord can look good in the right place.

His interest in colour has been with him from a very early age. When he was four years old he advised his mother which colour fabric to choose for a dress she made. When anyone complimented her on the colour she'd tell them that her son chose it for her.

Peter designed the speedo in 1959. At the beginning they weren't liked by the beach inspectors but the court decreed that they had to be allowed because they covered all the important bits. The speedo was the first male leisure garment in the world.

Peter is presently designing an installation for the opening of St John's Cathedral in Brisbane. He's using an installation of light to produce colours in the eye of the beholder. The piece includes a yellow kite that represents the sun. The idea is to go and see it as a work in process as well as the finished piece that will remain there for a year.

Extract from the Cathedral brochure - "ART The Wonder of Light The Maker of Colour. Aerial sculptures by Peter Travis. An evolving installation throughout the festival year. Sydney artist PeterTravis is an international specialist in ceramics and glass sculpture, and former designer of kites installation for St John’s Cathedral."

I must go and see it. I'm intrigued.