This body of work explores eco-philosophy through the lens of post-wildfire landscapes. This collection of paintings stands as a significant milestone in my artistic evolution.
'Emergence', ink & charcoal wash on canvas, 70 cm x 90 cm
Artistic Influences
In the current body of work, the burnt tree forest evokes dreamlike surrealist landscapes reminiscent of Max Ernst, providing a stage for biomorphic nuances akin to Joan Miró's playful symbolism. The guided interplay of ink and charcoal wash, echoing Wu Guanzhong’s calligraphic landscapes, resonates with the autonomy of form pursued by Piet Mondrian's neoplastic ideals. My deliberate eradication of any human imprint in brushwork pays homage to the abstractionist purity advocated by Kandinsky, alongside the subtle, earthy hues explored by Georgia O'Keeffe in organic abstraction. Through this nuanced fusion, I initiate an artistic dialogue that contemplates perpetual renewal, both in nature and in human experience.
'Somnus', ink & charcoal wash on canvas, 70 cm x 90 cm
It all began with a charred tree discovered during a forest stroll. This tree, its branches sprawled like severed limbs, initially appeared lifeless. However, upon closer inspection, I unearthed a bustling ecosystem thriving amidst the scorched remains. Insects, amphibians, indigenous wildflowers, and grasses had ingeniously found a foothold amid the desolation. Capturing this revelation through a series of macro photographs, I employed them as a reference for my studio work.
Photo by Vi Bell
For the discerning eye, this ecological choreography serves as a profound metaphor for the perpetual dance of life and death transcending both nature and human existence. It acts as a sobering reminder of our transient presence on this planet juxtaposed against the enduring vitality of nature.
'Forma Vitalis'
Method and Process
Drawing upon charcoal harvested from that very tree, ink, and a copious amount of water, I seemingly attempt to quench the flames that once ravaged the landscape. Granting water a remarkable degree of creative autonomy, I view it as a collaborator imbued with its own agency, fostering an embrace of serendipity within my artistic process. Though collaborative in nature, the painting itself assumes a distinct will.
'Aftermath', detail
When delineating tree branches or other organic forms, I seek to leave no discernible brushstrokes, striving to remove any trace of human intervention from the body of the painting.
'Emergence', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Somnus', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Forma Vitalis', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Perpetuum Saltus'', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Murmur', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Habitat, ink and charcoal on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in'
'Agni', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Aftermath', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Gaze', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Vessel', ink and charcoal wash on canvas, 70 x 90 cm / 27 x 35 in
'Verdant Alchemy', ink on canvas, 60 x 76 cm / 24 x 30 in
'Waterborn', ink on canvas, 45 x 60 cm / 18 x 24 in
Framed view in interior
Emergence
Somnus
Forma Vitalis
Perpetuum Saltus
Murmur
Gaze
Habitat
Agni
Aftermath
Vessel
Verdant Alchemy
Waterborn
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