Author: saravipond

Unravelling Painting in 2022

For this assignment I chose to do an abstract painting.

In response to the topic of unravelling painting in 2022 , I addressed the term Zombieism and the theory of the artists critic, Walter Robinson, who described a trend of abstract paining in first part of the 21st century as Zombie Formalism. Robinson noticed the practice of art collectors purchasing abstract works of art from up and coming artists and flipping them to sell at highly inflated prices created a demand that influenced the artists style and types of works artists of the day created. Most of the paintings were created in unconventional ways such as shooting paint form fire extinguishers or condiment bottles onto large canvases. The more avant-garde the more appealing the artwork.

I spent roughly four hours on the finished painting and about two hours with trials of abstract on smaller canvasses. After stretching the canvas on the frame and prepping it with gesso I threw convention aside. Embracing the unconventional ways I dove into the Zombie world and set to work.

Abstract, No Matter How you Look At It, 2022,

acrylic, shaving cream, acrylic medium, foam soap on canvas

48, 1/2″ X 48, 1/2 ”

Painting Applications #2, An Implied Narrative

Crazy Diamond

My excitement to create this piece as a narrative to a song turned to trepidation after I realized what I was doing. I feel very uneasy sharing this piece. It provides glimpses of my personal journey of growing up female in a male dominated world.

I have always been creative. Art and music was a large part of my life when I was a child. As I grew and realized responsibilities I postponed aspirations and dreams to work and help raise a family It is cliché but it is also true.  I would not give up being a mother, I would not trade the experiences I have had for an earlier realization of my dreams. I am thankful for my journey and everything I have learned along the way.

The artwork is a is a four-foot circle cut into three puzzle shaped pieces. The puzzle pieces represent the complexities of life, how we try to make sense of things as we go along tying to make it all fit together. The struggles of being self, mental anguish of loss, sacrifice of and the joy of loving are in this piece.

In this paining is the profound sense of loss I felt for the majority of my adult life. Remorse for turning away form art and music. The woman on the left falls away into the dark abyss as she drowns in anxiety fueled from societal and family expectations. The face on the right creams in a frustration all around her injurious substances meant to ease the pain of a patriarchal system of bullying. Above it all she floats away into the warmth of letting go.  

 

Crazy Diamond. 2022 Mixed Media on paper and cardboard 48″ diameter

Memory of Place #3

The trunks on the beach in this painting are remnants of a forest that was drowned, I believe, when Comox Lake was dammed to moderate its flow and provide water for Courtenay and Comox.

When it is time for peace in heart and balance of mind from the demands of surviving in todays continuous cycle of anticipated anxiety, I head for the richness of the natural world. This spot on the beaches of Comox Lake with the ancient tree trunks jutting up through the grass create a visual effect to contemplate. Like petrified obelisks they remind us of sacrifices made and arouse solemn thought and provoke a sense of gratitude.