"Outback", 12" x 12" encaustic on panel
Recently, when I was in Seattle, I was disappointed that I could not make it to see the Australian Aboriginal Art exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. I have always been drawn toward primitive art, particularly Native American and Art of the Southwest U.S., which is why my attraction toward Australian Aboriginal Art seemed natural.
The next best thing to seeing the exhibit was ordering the exhibit book "Ancestral Modern". While waiting for the book to arrive, I began learning how the Aboriginal outlook of the world was a most unique perspective - sometimes a view from the sky looking down on earth, other times from the ground looking up to the skies; abstract patterns representing anything from landscapes to animals to people, often times telling a story or describing a dream. Predominant colors are earth tones although I have noticed a minimal use of greens, this would make sense as the desert (and desert colors) are most predominant on the Australian continent. I am looking forward to researching further.
I decided to paint 2 panels at the same time using the same layers of color, 12 x 12 and 6 x 6 - the smaller panel is now ready for an upcoming encaustic demonstration I will be doing at the Copley Society of Art on September 15. Both panels were taped around the edges in order to keep them paint-free.
After fusing many layers of wax, I then removed the tape.
I have still not decided if I prefer the clean taped edges to the random drips revealing how the layers were created although I have been told galleries prefer the clean edge, a more professional presentation.
Beautiful work. At museums, I'm drawn to the primitive pieces and always wonder if I'm remembering something. Twenty years ago I bought a book at Logan airport and read it during the flight. It was short and about a woman traveling with an Aboroginal tribe--such a different perspective about life. One day , I'll come across the title and buy it again.
ReplyDeleteIf you do remember the title, please let me know too. Primitive art brings us back to a simpler, more direct way of expression and story telling, and it's a reminder of where we came from.
DeleteI find that these abstract pieces remind me of microscopic slides or super up close shots of something I might otherwise recognize. This piece reminds me of chrome for some reason. Always interesting to see your work, Robin. I love seeing the layers on the side of the clean edged piece too.
ReplyDeleteYes, that microscopic view is one of the perspectives these paintings can capture. Another way of viewing this piece is to think about if you were in air space looking down on earth, it's an abstract recognition of the land (at least that's what I was thinking about with this one).
DeleteLove the shapes, Robin.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deborah! although I am not sure the depth translates well online.
DeleteInformative Post Robin, This is a very very beautiful piece you created, I am still looking at it and thinking that it is a lot of planning for each of the patterns! Whenever I am traveling by flight, I keep creating this kind of art in my mind, never so far on canvas :-)
ReplyDeleteFor the first time I am inspired in new ways, padmaja. The simplicity of shapes become defined when you open your mind to the possibilities. I am enjoying creating this new body of work, you can do it too, just don't think too much.
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