September 23 - October 23, 2016
Rending/Rendering
Alice Anne Ellis
Mixed Media
Frable Gallery
Opening Reception for the Artists
Fourth Friday, September 23, 2016
7:00-10:00 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Closing Artist Talk
Sunday, October 23, 2016
2:00 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Artist Statement
The beauty of Hawai'i is miraculous and haunting. Eons ago, seething, volcanic rock pushed its way above the waves, cooled, and firmed into fantastic shapes. Tilled and seeded only by the wind, rain and birds, the bare rock blossomed into a paradise. It was discovered by the native Hawai'ians just yesterday (less than 2000 years ago) in the 28 million year old life of the islands. My current body of work is about my memories of a visit to the "Big Island," the most recently born from the sea – the swirls made by creeping, searing, seething lava; the plants that find tiny crevices to hug with their roots; the glimpses of enchantment in the sea; the giant ferns that grow on the wet, windward side.
My primary medium is pigmented ink, on paper and panel. Although I do have a particular place or object in mind when I begin, all I am concerned about initially is the movement of ink on the surfaces. What happens there sets the framework for how the image develops. The act of fragmenting the paper provides a new focus on the abstract quality of the marks. I enjoy the logistical problems of integrating the surfaces, and the discovery of new relationships and rhythms as I combine them.
My process is influenced by a fascination with sumie, Japanese ink painting, and the capacity of ink on paper to speak in many tones. I find the challenges of combining multiple images and platforms very satisfying. The consequent push and pull between areas of the work prompts a continuing conversation between the surfaces. Originating in a fragment of memory, the final result is a melding of abstract pattern and depiction.
More at: www.aliceanneellis.com
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