Underfoot 2

36x36 inches - Mixed Media - 2024

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Underfoot 2: A critical perspective

The artist's choice of the textured burlap as a canvas amplifies the visceral feel of the composition, making the bare contours and shapes feel almost inherent to the fabric. This unusual choice of medium also introduces an intriguing challenge for the artist - the task of maintaining a hard edge in a porous and uneven material. The finesse with which this has been executed makes the artwork stand out.

Balance is a key strength of this piece. It brilliantly engages the scale of conventionally 'massive' and 'tiny' elements, stirring a dynamic interplay that is visually appealing. The large, black, biomorphic shapes anchor the composition, creating solid, interesting focal points. Their fluidity and variation in form inject intensity and rhythm into the composition, while evoking a feeling of constant motion and transformation.

The stark black creations against the weathered, neutral canvas lend a magnetic contrast, offering a deep, bold visual impact. The aesthetic complexity induced by plain tonal usage is fascinating and successfully blurs the lines between modern and traditional art forms.