Since my last post I have been working on a series of four paintings, which were originally one large performance painting (1.8 metres x 6.5 metres) subsequently divided into four separate sections.
The experience of photographing the original material outside (see last post) and observing the sunlight against the marks already made on the canvas had an impact on my artistic decisions and processes; I wanted to retain a sense of life and reality inhabiting the creative process. So I began to develop a more physical way of working on the floor using my body across the surface, sometimes drawing into it, using a roller, applying paint with hands and feet and pouring on large amounts of water – checking periodically that no water was leaking through the ceiling to the floor below. This method emerged from the larger scale I was using now, and it contained a sense of continuity from the bodily movement of the live performance.
work in progress
The canvas was not stretched, and I placed objects underneath it to create mounds and undulations through which the water and paint could find its natural course, carve outs its own territory and leave its own impression on the emerging landscape.
I worked on the four separately until finished in no particular order. The choice of colours for each section was selected spontaneously and through contemplation of the marks already laid down during the initial performance. Here are the results:
Mixed media (acrylic, ink, charcoal, pastel) 180 cm x 178cm
Mixed media (acrylic, ink, charcoal, pastel) 180 cm x 160cm
Mixed media (acrylic, ink, charcoal, pastel) 180 cm x 148cm
Mixed media (acrylic, ink, charcoal, pastel) 180 cm x 159cm
No consideration was given to the four as one during the process; lack of space being one reason. With this in mind it is interesting that the underlying structure from the original performance has had some influence on colour relationships, helping to unite the final four as one. I only saw this when they were digitally re-united in the same order as the original piece:
Mixed media (acrylic, ink, charcoal, pastel) 1.8 m x 6.5 m
Please let me know what words come to your mind when you look at this series of paintings. This feedback will be fed back into further work………
Copyright © 2008 Jonathan Bentall
