UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #82

Title:   “Cancer on Society” 

(Mixed Media)

120x61cm

THE IDEA BEHIND THE PAINTING and Artistic techniques used in the painting:

Cancer has become increasingly prevalent in our society in recent times.  We all have been touched in some way, either directly or indirectly by this epidemic.  My experience with cancer has been through palliative care. I am by profession an Expressive Art Therapist which allows me to use art as a counselling tool. 

A cancer develops in an organism when cells mutate and begin attacking healthy cells.  This painting shows corruption of matter. Corrupting the natural order - cannibalizing - similar to the way that cancer cells attack healthy cells in the body. 

Humanity is presently at a liminal point in time - an in between moment when things are changing rapidly in a way never before imagined.  The outcome may be positive or negative and will to become evident with time.  Both humanity and nature will be the driving forces in determining the outcome.

While seeking an emotional map for all this, humanity has to consider environmental questions raised by the exploitation of nature for monetary gains, such as fracking, mining and logging, all of which have resulted in obscene levels of degradation to the natural environment.  Humanity cannot live without the Earth - in a sense the earth is humanity’s body. 

The future also looks bleak on the biological front .  A recent book called “Frankenstein’s Cat” by Emily Anthes, discusses how biotechnology is shaping our future.  Scientists are storing DNA from the planet’s most exotic creatures.  On the positive side, they are cloning to protect endangered species, craft prosthetics to save injured animals, and employ genetic engineering to stock farms with disease-resistant livestock.   However on the negative side, other experiments have produced sensor-wearing seals, cyborg beetles, a bionic bulldog, a cloned cat and GloFish which glow in the dark.  She interviews scientists, conservationists, ethicists, and entrepreneurs and raises moral and ethical questions such as “What does biotechnology really mean for this world?”

Are these scientific experiments not similar to what cancer does – mutations replacing healthy organisms?”  Has humanity gone past the tipping point?  This is the dilemma raised in my painting “Cancer on Society”.

This painting is in the style of Abstract Expressionism.   This artistic style expresses individual autonomy and freedom in a manner that can be characterised as chaotic and anarchic.  Freedom in life is translated into artistic liberty with an emphasis on gestural spontaneity.

Painting “Cancer on Society” was like making an emotional map.  It did not solve the problems but it did externalize them and by so doing, the problems were then easier to comprehend.

The title of this painting is important to its understanding.  The form is two dimensional and flat.  The tone is neutral and monochromatic.  The colours are randomly mixed and covered with silver enamel spray. 

It is an experimental painting.  The final result which came about by accident is really very aesthetically pleasing.  It is hoped that the outcome for humanity is as pleasing and successful.  At this stage I think that we are looking into Pandora’s Box.  Will the benefits outweigh the risks?  I would invite your comments.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #75

Title    “Fractured Earth – the drawing” 

(Drawing - Ink and Watercolour on watercolour paper on board)

Size:  90x65cm (Exterior dimensions)

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

This drawing stands alone and is not part of the Rockscape Series that I have discussed in earlier posts. It is however like the Rockscape Series in that it is inspired by the volcanic rocks on the foreshore of the coastline on the Sunshine Coast.  The photograph of the rock used for my drawing was taken at Mooloolaba Beach.

As you can see, my drawing is rendered in a realistic way and the natural formations of the actual rock provide the abstract look which I prefer for my art.   Rockscapes fascinate me. These rocks are volcanic and have become fractured by the natural cooling process thousands of years ago.  The patterning is thought to be the result of the surface drying before it consolidated.  They have weathered the ravages of time.

Symbolically these rocks tell of the Earth’s early beginnings, and represent for me the qualities of endurance and strength.  These qualities are traditionally seen as masculine. Ink and watercolour are the main mediums used and they represent qualities associated with the feminine.  Water (as in the ocean) symbolically suggests fluidity, softness and spirituality which are also linked to the feminine. 

This drawing brings masculine and feminine qualities together and serves to symbolically provide balance and harmony to an imbalance that is occurring in the natural environment on this planet at this time.  It is no secret that our beautiful blue Pacific Ocean is beset by pollution.  Scientific reports show that the magical and bountiful deep blue is turning into a barren desert.   My drawing here (and also the Rockscape Series) serve to draw attention to the fact that although the coastline along the Sunshine Coast is still beautiful, our ocean and coastline may not be the same for future generations to enjoy.  What we now take for granted is under threat and we all need to be aware and responsible for our Earth’s care.

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

The drawing is on four sheets of watercolour paper adhered to board.   I randomly applied black ink over four discarded watercolour paintings.  When dried I arranged the sheets to form a single surface.  I wanted to experiment with black and this process yielded a surface which was weathered by circumstance over time, just like the rock in the photo.

I then used white ink and a bamboo pen to draw a realistic copy of the fractures and fissures of the rock face.  I applied fluoro ink in parts of this drawing to create interesting effects and highlights on the white ink.

The entire surface was then covered with a matt gel to create a consistent cover and unify the four original surfaces. 

This drawing is experimental and I stress that every artist should explore the different affects created by the application and mixing of unrelated media.  In this case there are elements of randomness but also quite a high degree of control.

Why don’t you try an experimental painting – it can lead to a very rewarding conclusion and is fun.  Just let go of the ego and of control and let it just happen.  It’s very freeing.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #53

Title:   “Scene of Action” 

(Inks and Enamel on Masonite)

46x61cm

THE IDEA BEHIND THE PAINTING

This painting is the prototype for a much larger painting which won Highly Commended in the Warrana Festival Art Prize.  It was a mixed media and called “Space Encompassed” (90x120cm).  It also is in the Caltex Collection.

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

With all my art making, it’s a matter of enquiry, problem solving and resolution.  This could concern issues of a personal, political or global nature.  Or it could be of a technical artistic problem.  People who have been following my blog will know that I do not just paint a picture... there is always something deeper going on.

 The smaller painting shown here titled “Scene of Action” represents experimental art.  I began by pouring inks onto a sealed masonite board.  At the time I was experimenting with inks and air-brushing.  I had a small air brushing kit that used pressure packs to spray fluids.  I poured the green inks and then the reds were applied with the air-brush.  It was a very spontaneous way of producing a painting.  I then reproduced this painting onto a 90x120cm board.  This used all my skills and painting experience because I was reproducing something that was initially born from chance.  However I did accomplish this and it was highly commended by the judges at Warrana Festival.

I re-named the bigger painting “Space Encompassed” because the focus point is the red space in the lower centre (slightly to the right).  The viewer’s eye is drawn into this area of the painting as if into “a still space beyond all the action”.  The name of the prototype being “Scene of Action”. 

I used enamel on the larger painting along with inks, whereas on the prototype I used the air-brushed inks.

Although the prototype was produced randomly, the larger painting had to be scaled up and the spontaneous dribbles and pouring had to be reproduced.  It is not easy to do this and keep the spontaneous look.

I really urge painters to experiment with new materials.  It is only through trying out different mediums that you start to get experienced in just what they can do.  Then when you want to achieve a certain effect, you will be able to select the best medium to achieve that effect.  This is what painting is about – along with the traditional techniques of colour, composition, texture, design, emphasis and meaning, the knowledge of different and new materials is essential.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com