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Bridging the disconnection
A series of explorative paintings that address a transitional process, one bridged from disconnection to reconnection.
History
1994
Unwittingly my practise has in some ways continued from where I left off 30 years ago after graduating from the Nottingham Trent University. For my degree thesis I examined the notion that narrative could be implied through present and non-present materials. I explored and compared the works of Robert Ryman and Agnus Martin. My work at that time examined how abstraction and simplification created an altered visual language that physical effected both the space within and around itself.
2024
Today, my work focuses on exploring the residing energy of what it means to stand within, or ground myself in the landscape. To become an intrinsic element of that landscape where there are no fractures or separation. I'm still interested in the principles of altered space. However, visually there is perhaps an unconscious bias towards folk art as I incorporate monolithic human forms and naive decorative elements. Reconnecting myself through my art practise via both a spiritual and metaphysical.
Title: Glastonbury | Oil & Raw Pigment on Canvas Board | 50 x 50 cm
Title: Henrietta Park | Oil & Raw Pigment on Canvas Board | 50 x 50 cm
The Painting Process
I work in both watercolour and water-soluble oil paint to which I add additional ground pigment. The alchemy of using ground pigment, water and oil creates a fusion of earthly elements that underpin the narrative and visceral qualities I embrace for my canvas based work.
As I paint, I discover shapes within shapes, pockets of newly created space within space and a quiet narrative that gathers between the lines as energy flows.
Sarah Gardner 2024
Title: Untitled Studies | Oil & Raw Pigment on Canvas Board | 30cm x 40cm
Seeing Beyond the Narrative
Whilst each of my paintings depicts a monolithic, statuesque like figure she is far from frozen. Her presence anchors her, roots her within the composition. With grace and perhaps an angelic quality her eyes often remain closed, she does not need to see her surroundings to be connected, she does not need to witness her own story to be part of it. Framed by naive depictions of whimsical birds, flora and fauna her energy is woven into the tapestry of a collective energy, one that is both spiritual and metaphysical.
Sarah Gardner 2024
Title: The Rising | Watercolour & Gauche on Paper | 56cm x76cm
Title: Three Sisters of Self (Day) | Watercolour on Paper | 56cm x 76cm
Title: Three Sisters of Self (Night) | Watercolour on Paper | 56cm x 76cm
Title: Mother Within | Watercolour & Gauche on Paper | 56cm x 76cm
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Title: Exiting the Forest | Watercolour on Paper | 30cm x 40cm
Title: Tree of Life | Oil & Raw Pigment Canvas | 60cm x 90cm
Sketchbook Practise
My sketchbook practice has become instrumental in navigating a path to freedom for ideas. Sometimes I scribble, create coloured patterns or sketch with inks and watercolours. Ideas come to me as waking daydreams and try not to over think them. They're created in the moment, not to an outside stimulant like a landscape, but to an internal landscape and dialogue.
My sketchbook painting create valuable references for larger work whilst also providing me with a quick creative outlet for instant gratification of ideas, colour and form.
Sarah Gardner 2024
2023 - 2024 Various sketchbook studies in Watercolour and raw pigment.
Observational and imagined sketchbook paintings that explore organic layering, natural elements and the concept of ground-up composition.
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Various sketchbook studies in Watercolour & Raw Pigment
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