Monthly studies of a half meter squared piece of turf as it re-wilds from mown lawn to... ... something else?
The studies are painted with a single pigment made from the soils and earth around the plant, which is then mixed with linseed oil to make oil paint. These are painted on paper.
The work touches on a wide variety of themes found in my work. Art historical aspects relate to Durer's still life "the Turf' and Rembrandt's ideas around the spirituality of brown. More philosophical aspects draw on the importance of the processes and purpose in painting and the importance of the material histories in the objects depicted and the mediums used to depict them. Also, the innate potential with earth to create almost anything, which is mirrored by infinite possibilities within painting. Spiritual aspects link to the deanthropocentralisation of man that is found in a Buddhist focus on the natural and the removal of ego.
“Life comes from earth. Life returns to earth.” Quote from 4 Century BC Chinese Taoist Philosopher ZhangZou.
Technically, these works have been an enjoyable challenge to paint due to the experience of crafting a paint and becoming familiar with it whilst creating a single pigment technique in oil that resembles watercolour painting in its use of the white of the paper. Finally of course there is an anlaytical approach that links to my interest in Science, sustainability and evolution and ecology.
Although not exhibited yet, these works would be shown with supporting objects such as the Linseed plants I have been growing, muds, clays and bricks.
The studies are painted with a single pigment made from the soils and earth around the plant, which is then mixed with linseed oil to make oil paint. These are painted on paper.
The work touches on a wide variety of themes found in my work. Art historical aspects relate to Durer's still life "the Turf' and Rembrandt's ideas around the spirituality of brown. More philosophical aspects draw on the importance of the processes and purpose in painting and the importance of the material histories in the objects depicted and the mediums used to depict them. Also, the innate potential with earth to create almost anything, which is mirrored by infinite possibilities within painting. Spiritual aspects link to the deanthropocentralisation of man that is found in a Buddhist focus on the natural and the removal of ego.
“Life comes from earth. Life returns to earth.” Quote from 4 Century BC Chinese Taoist Philosopher ZhangZou.
Technically, these works have been an enjoyable challenge to paint due to the experience of crafting a paint and becoming familiar with it whilst creating a single pigment technique in oil that resembles watercolour painting in its use of the white of the paper. Finally of course there is an anlaytical approach that links to my interest in Science, sustainability and evolution and ecology.
Although not exhibited yet, these works would be shown with supporting objects such as the Linseed plants I have been growing, muds, clays and bricks.
