I greatly admire the work of the artist Ross Bleckner. Although his theme of mortality is different to my own work, I find a connection through the illusion of light he achieves. The illumination that shines out from his paintings promotes an awe-inspiring, ethereal quality. and masterful use of media to mixed media pieces. The glowing quality of his work is reminiscent of x-rays/photograms or a heavenly vault of exploding stars. When I look at these pieces I experience a discord of feelings, there is a sense of peace and tranquility but this is tinged with edginess and mystery.
” There is, however, one easily comprehensible element that is common to all of Bleckner’s paintings: light. Indeed, one could even go so far as to suggest that in this very element which has always organized his pictorial field – the most renowned case being the stroboscopic effect he achieved by running a number of dark vertical lines in front of a beam of light. Many critics have claimed that the intensity of such an effect suggests there is a metaphysical dimension to the work. But this is pure hyperbole. Sometimes light is just light – and Bleckner is a master at manipulating it.”
Maureen Paley – Interim Art London October 26 to November 26