Sculpting colour…
From the deconstruction of abstract paintings to a monumental paper tapestry …
Composition Chromatique #1
Tissue paper, pva glue, gouache, aquarelle - H 430cmx W 158cm in 2 parts (each part is 215cm High- can also work as a diptych)
A camayeux of red, pink and orange hues gently unfolds, from the most intense to the more diluted.
I first create abstract paintings with gouache and watercolour on large layers of tissue paper I prepare with my special technique.
The transparent shades of pigment in the watercolour reveal the veins and texture of the tissue paper, and the gradations of colour are very subtle. Once dry, I cut the paintings into strips that I reassemble by gluing them one by one onto a paper base. Through this process of deconstruction/ reconstruction, I can create colour blocks that 'vibrate' on their edges as I interleave the strips of the different colours.
Similar to Matisse's paper cut-outs, this technique allows me to literally 'sculpt' colour, juxtaposing the strips and varying their size, number and hue until I reach the desired effect.
