Sep 9, 20212 min read

Thursday September 9. Some recent work after a big gap.

This is a record of some experimental work that I have been doing for a month or two, It is about pure, formal designs altered by random forces. I started by making a geometric relief sculpture with echoes of early 20th century constructivist abstraction.

This is plywood glued into a picture frame. The raised rectangles are card and foamboard. The whole thing was painted with gesso to make it pure white and a base for subsequent painting.

I've put 4 stages of “vandalism” together here. The whole aim is to “muck it up” with aggressive daubs suggesting flames. Many layers of thin acrylic were applied. I find this open-ended random approach very therapeutic.

As it progressed I wanted the rectangles silhouetted against a threatening glowing sky. My original idea of flames and destruction was disappearing.

As it progressed I wanted the rectangles silhouetted against a threatening glowing sky. My original idea of flames and destruction was disappearing. As it stands, it has turned out too artistic and pleasing. I reserve the right to completely change my mind and repaint it. Or does it convey a sense of threat?

Here is a quote from Paul Klee in 1915. “When the world becomes more fearful, Art becomes more abstract.” A year or so ago I took a relief picture from abou16 years ago and painted it white.

I then painted on a single triangle to add a new dimension, It was a reasonable piece of minimal abstraction, but a few weeks ago I felt irritated by it's blandness and attacked it.

Here are 4 stages of this attack with acrylic paint.

As well as paint, I thought about adding random collage. I found some old printouts of photos of sunflowers taken a few years ago and cut out sections and stuck them on.