Embracing The Bendy Boards!

My recent work has been about line, tone and volume. I have been looking at topography and homing in on features of the face. The paintings which are on canvas board have been propped up against the wall for some time. This has caused them to dip in the middle, giving them a three dimensional quality.

I purposely bent one of these boards to make it stand on its side and work as a sculptural piece. I have made reference to the work of Richard Serra for his large iron sculptures.

I attempted to present to work on a wall. I preferred this style of presentation for several reasons. When the work was on its side on the floor, the spectator would be able to walk around the piece. This proved to be problematic because of the lack of depth and the fact that there is only an image on one side. If the piece was presented horizontally on the floor I feel the concept would change and it would be more about power, likewise if the viewer had to look up to it. The contrast between the flat wall and the curved canvas works as it exaggerates this new volume. For the work is hung in the conventional style of a portrait, at eye level, then I feel it will have a stronger link to the history of portraiture.

Work by Lucio Fontana and Adam Fearon has also proved to be of interest for their exploration of the canvas as a sculptural medium.

I attempted something similar for myself. By removing the canvas for the frames I was able to drape it over chairs, fold it and hang it in an alternative manner. However, due to the inflexible nature of the canvas the outcome wasnt as effective as the 'bendy boards'.