Arrestarsi ai raggi notturni

Arrestarsi ai raggi notturni (2006)
(Halted by Nocturnal Rays)

unframed price

cotton fibre, pigment dyes

H 31 x W 27 cm

Suggested framed dimensions:
H 51 x W 47 cm (min)

The piece is inspired by moonlight filtering through the gaps between the trees in the forest. Much of my work is related to natural themes, environmental issues, my experiences working in horticulture and my upbringing in Italian Dolomites.

Note on the technique:

The cotton fibre pulp works are built up using layers of dyed pulp in a wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry, hand mould and deckle process. There is no glue in the mixture as the 'paper' holds together through the natural interweaving of the fibres themselves.

The pulp is made predominantly from cotton linters which is repeatedly mashed with water before different natural or synthetic, fibre-reactive pigment dyes are added to create the basic palette. In some cases, organic material is mixed with or embedded in the pulps, with the possibility of larger elements being stripped away when wet or dry leaving a 3D graffito-style impression in the revealed layers. An important feature is the uneven edges (deckle edges) that the process produces.

The natural light plays a big part in the drying process which can take 3 to 4 weeks. Natural sunlight and the right temperature help the chemical reaction between pigment and fibre resulting in stronger, high-density colours.