Shaun Project Space Crit 2 (Semester 2)
- Lucy Archer
- Feb 21, 2017
- 2 min read
Libby’s main focus is the relationship between painting and textiles. The first was 1 of 2 wall paintings, images of which was projected larger onto the wall in the SPP. Textiles had been added to certain sections of this work. There is definitely an influence of modernist geometry. Only the primary colours are used bar one green circle. Shagpile carpet is added to almost random sections, creating a shape of their own. This helps add even more depth to the work, with the blue pushing back and the yellow and textiles pulling forward.
The second wall painting only consist of the primary colours. No carpet was added to this piece, so I feel like the eye isn’t immediately drawn to any certain section, each strip is relatively equal. The composition involves straight horizontal lines until the final line which is at an angle. It’s interesting how the white holds its own space, it’s not just the background. This piece is precise but not at the same time, it could symbolise chaos or the imperfect.
The sculpture is minimalist, with 2 cubes on top of each other and covered in white textiles. The harsh geometry theme throughout Libby’s work is softened here, due to the carpet. It has a strong anthropomorphic suggestion, from a distance it looks like it could almost like a small fluffy dog. The smaller cube on top could be a head.
Liz uses a wide range of materials including beeswax, fibre glass, semi-precious stones, string wrapped around the canvas frame itself, all stuck on a painted canvas. Material experimentation is very important in her work. All her paintings are based off memories and remembering the past. Her first painting was done while she recalled memories from visiting beaches, it also has elements related to the idea of healing. The colours she used are based off the sand, driftwood, rusty metal, anything she remembered from the beach. This works are all purest abstract painting.
Her second painting expands on the memory of the beach. As she painted in while the canvas was on the floor, she felt that’s where it looked best, and I agree. It was as if a section on a beach was in the space, almost stepping into her memories through the painting. I felt like I was looking into a rock pool.
The final piece was looser than the others, influenced more by Jackson Pollock. It was based off a printing malfunction she had, an ink cartridge had exploded and she had to pull the paper out. Each section represented different areas of landscapes from her memories, it has a very dream-like quality. Earthy colours appear to be a theme throughout her work. The middle section of this painting is a large focus point. To me it looks like a spire/monument cutting right down the painting.
