The studies are painted with a single pigment made from the soils and earth around the plants, which is then mixed with linseed oil to make oil paint. These are painted on paper.
Some are sections of turf removed to paint in the studio. Some are monthly studies of a half meter squared piece of turf as it re-wilds from mown lawn to... ... something else? And I also exhibit the paint and its ingredients to reinforce the connections.
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. 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 the infinite possibilities within painting. Spiritual aspects link to the deanthropocentralisation of man and removal of ego. Themes that are found in both the Buddhist focus on the natural and the writings of humanist Scientists and philosophers like Daniel Dennet and Susan Blackmore. Finally of course, there is an analytical and geometric approach that links to my interest in Science, measurement sustainability, evolution and ecology.
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 paper.
“Life comes from earth. Life returns to earth.” Quote from 4 Century BC Chinese Taoist Philosopher ZhangZou.
Some are sections of turf removed to paint in the studio. Some are monthly studies of a half meter squared piece of turf as it re-wilds from mown lawn to... ... something else? And I also exhibit the paint and its ingredients to reinforce the connections.
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. 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 the infinite possibilities within painting. Spiritual aspects link to the deanthropocentralisation of man and removal of ego. Themes that are found in both the Buddhist focus on the natural and the writings of humanist Scientists and philosophers like Daniel Dennet and Susan Blackmore. Finally of course, there is an analytical and geometric approach that links to my interest in Science, measurement sustainability, evolution and ecology.
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 paper.
“Life comes from earth. Life returns to earth.” Quote from 4 Century BC Chinese Taoist Philosopher ZhangZou.
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