Prismes

Prismes (Gold Leaf)

 

 

The Summer Show at Cambridge Contemporary opens this weekend, and for the occasion I am debuting a new work  - Prismes. Prismes was primarily influenced by, and takes its title from a certain series of geometric abstractions by Sonia Delaunay (featured in my last post), namely her painted Prismes Électriques series. My new Prismes collages build on the gridded Struktur works of mine which were inspired by the women weavers of the Bauhaus weaving workshop. I found in my research that there were several similarities which connected both the lives and careers of some of the women artists of the Bauhaus weaving workshop and that of Sonia Delaunay. The Prismes series of mine like the Struktur works were also created during the vacuum of the pandemic lockdowns.

 

 

Struktur (gold, detail)

 

 

Delaunay's Electric Prism series attempted to capture the distinctive glowing effects of the newly installed electric lighting of the street lamps of Paris, and the colours cast by their artificial light on the pavements and buildings which she experienced whilst walking along the boulevard Saint-Michel. The paintings are full of colour, movement and rhythm.

 

 

Sonia Delaunay - Prismes Électriques, 1914

 

 

 Prismes Électriques No.41, 1913-1914

In my response to Delaunay's Prismes Électriques, I too have attempted to capture light effects using a series of concentric circles of gold and white papers, and the reflective qualities of light with a lustrous gold leaf surface. I have also tried to represent a sense of movement, and the way in which light can fracture surfaces through the placement and variety of different species of butterflies, interspersed on and between the arced panels. The shimmering effects of light are depicted with the addition of the carefully positioned gold dots, which are a recent development in my work here, and here.  I have created versions of Prismes in silver leaf, and also tones of reds and pinks from my collection of found papers. Experience Prismes for yourself this summer at Cambridge Contemporary Art.

 

 

Prismes (detail)

 

Prismes (Red)

 

Prismes (Gold)

 

 

 

Summer Show

26th June until 30th August

Cambridge Contemporary Art

6 Trinity Street

Cambridge

CB2