Exhibitions

PRISMATIC EFFECT

The Rymer Gallery / 233 5th Ave. N. January 6, 2017 - February 1, 2017

Carly Witmer

Artist Statement:

Having become fully invested in painting by 2002, my resolution to work within strict parameters based upon a Cartesian plane was part of an effort to avoid semblances of figuration and move my explorations into a purely conceptual space. However, the work evolved into a refusal of concept—at some point it became apparent that conceptual thinking itself was a barrier to the exploration of my impulses as a painter. The content of the work began to rest more and more solidly on very basic compositional principles: strength of center and balance of symmetry. Thereby, I was able to reduce the amount of calculated decisions that would have to be made in the process of creating a painting. In the same spirit, my relationship with color has developed into a careful consideration of the terms set forth by color itself.

A deep yearning to create a dense and lush atmosphere within the surface of a painting continues to inspire the direction of Prismatic Paintings as a body of work. The paintings are developed through their attempt to pull light into themselves, especially when they are full of darkness; they also offer to return light from within layers of color. The paints are custom-mixed using pure pigments and acrylic mediums for a precise measure of color and transparency. The use of metallic elements, along with many varieties of glitter suspended in multiple pours of sanded resin, conspire to manipulate light on and within the painting. They promote a surface dynamism that subtly belies the 2-dimensional nature of the work.

The Prismatic Painting series will continue to grow in numbers as they evidence a heartfelt intellectual pursuit of the unknown. They are how I learn everything I don’t know.

For more information please call 6157526030 or email Campbell at campbell@therymergallerycom