ecstasy
The Ecstasy collection of images build on themes from Mythos but are particularly in informed by motifs in Atwood’s The Penelopiad, centred on ecstasy and bodily fluid.
The works are titled in Greek such as Ekstasis translated as ‘to be out of the body’ or Aphros meaning ‘Sea Foam’ for example. Other colour naming conventions layered on top are designed to reference mythological connotations, popular culture and enhance or disrupt associations in the art works with fluid and the body through a sexual lens.
Starting points were to gather flotsam and jetsam from beachcombing (seaweed, washed up twine, remnants of plant fauna) to develop as original monotypes for mark making recalling cytology and the microscopic examination of fluids or for their textural and sensual qualities.
The process then moves again from the traditional to the digital realm, with colour, transparent or opaque digital overlays and glazing developing spatiality and recalling silk screen and other traditional fine art printmaking techniques.
The final works have a hybrid quality, developed to become abstract ‘scapes’ which build on symbolic connotations and the shape of fluids pooling, falling, poring, gushing, ebbing or drifting. These works also have an ornamental and decorative aesthetic and were consciously developed considering rebellious or random mark making strategies associated with Dadaism or American Abstract Expressionism. The mix of loose energy in the monotype juxtaposed by sharp digital graphics evoking the notion of being out of control and in control simultaneously.
The final Giclee limited edition images are printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper tailored for Fine Art printing which preserves and enhances depth and textural qualities.
Click an image below to browse the collection gallery.
work in progress: Peach Echeko
Echeko, meaning ‘to gush or pour forth’; this is one of the seed works for the whole Ekstasis series. The surface evokes a flood of organic texture with bodily fluid colour connotations, the hard and soft marks contrasting to evoke a spumy effervescent liquid charged with energy. Seen here with original monotype developed through scraped gestures designed to connote slipping, sliding or water falling with textured colour built up through the use of a bath puff as an ink application tool and graphic overdrawn details. The final inked up monotype plate can also be seen holding onto the granular, glossy and transparent elements of colour rolled and painted onto the plate.
work in progress: Emerald Ekstasis
Seen here in larger scale for a commission together with the original monotype and a multiple variation. The vegetal, sea fauna and liquid gestures on the monotype are enhanced by the delicate pink and translucency of the greens. The final hybrid image including grey digital glazing translates into an abstract flatbed picture plane to convey the notion of a fertile and organic pool with a myriad of connotations.
