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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

OUR SPACE

("A moment", mixed media on board by Caroline Birch)

Our Space is an exhibition of painted drawings by Caroline Birch currently running at artSPACEdurban.

The artist’s statement reads:

“This body of work grew out of the strong need to keep the initial drawing intact; not to lose it during the painting process. Hence the use of oil pastel overlaid with watercolour; and the figure itself remaining untouched by paint. The realization of space grew with the method.

Usually one considers the human body as solid matter; here it is approached as space and left as such, while the surrounding space is painted in oil paint. The use of oils allows great translucence; so for me the whole process is shot through with light and space. The whole process is exposed to the viewer. Nothing is hidden or covered over; it is all transparent. It is also a return to simplicity, in the use of materials, and in the drawing simply from the model, leaving aside all the accumulated clutter of life. As solid matter is shot through with space, the space around us becomes a shared arena: our space and our responsibility.”

Our Space runs until May 5. artSPACE durban is situated at 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road) close to the Waste Centre. More information on 031 312 0793 or visit www.artspacedurban.co.za or www.artspacedurban.blogspot.com