Let the Light in artist statement
This recently finished piece was made as a response to a challenge to create work that in some way referenced the theme “Doors, windows and portals”.
I always begin with my colours. And a vague idea of how I want my piece to feel. What colours will express that?
One of my passions is European Medieval architecture. Cathedrals. This is partly because I love their windows. Windows full of coloured glass.
Stained glass windows are usually rich and intense - I choose saturated colours.
And I develop a layout that is suggestive of leaded lights. My preferred process - piecing - is appropriate.
This work will have some of the clean clear feel of new glass, mixed with a feeling of age.
Let the Light in #2 artist statement
It’s all about colour! With design pared down to a minimum, and my colours singing their heads off and clamouring for your attention, can you take your eyes off me?
I love stained glass.
Old glass - glass that has discolouration and signs of age. New glass - glass that is bright, shiny and clear. Glass that let's light in, but lets you see out. Glass that scatters its colours, like confetti, on nearby surfaces. This work will have some of the clean clear feel of new glass, mixed with a feeling of age. This work celebrates Gerhard Richter’s window in Cologne cathedral.
The aim of my piece - simply to be enjoyed!
Monochrome? Oh really? artist statement
How does someone like me, who will, in a single piece of work, happily use every colour she can lay hands on, respond to a challenge like “Monochrome”? Well, I will go for contrast - for maximum impact from a relatively small amount of contrast material. I will see what I can do simply with colour - no texture, no contrast in size or shape of the pieces...
I have started with 169 squares, 164 of them are in beautiful, calming and recessive blues, while just 5 of them are fiery, dominant yellows. The yellow shouts and will not accept a minor role! It screams, “Look at me!”. The blues seem happy with this arrangement. They are brought alive by just that small amount of contrasting colour.
This is one of my favourite techniques.