Studio di neri come spazi

Studio di neri come spazi (2013)
(Study of Black as Space)

unframed price

cotton fibre, pigment dyes, leather

H 34 x W 33 cm

Suggested framed dimensions:
H 54 x W 53 cm (min)

Exploring the strata in a cross section of soil, I tried to visualize how the sun, preceded by water, might filter through deep into the cracked earth.

Focusing on unexpected places where life begins, this colour study relates to my current series of work - shifting landscape - and how what's hidden, down to a micro level, can ultimately shape the geography of a location.

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.