Birdwood House Gallery, Totnes
Open 10am – 5pm daily
It is true that a picture speaks a thousand words; however if a representational painting or photograph is symbolic or intended to illustrate a narrative then that is not necessarily communicated by viewing alone. An abstract image that has been created to an elusive intellectual concept can prove to be even more difficult to discern. Likewise, the lyrics of a song are also a locked box to anyone who does not know the language in which it is sung. However, instrumental music is universal and could wash over a crowd of people that are completely incapable of communicating with each other verbally and unite them in rhythm.
In the visual arts I believe that abstract painting also has the highest potential to be a universal language. True abstraction is beyond description in words, have you ever heard a plausible description of Love? The critique of abstract painting is often reduced to a soulless analysis of colour and compositional relationships or it is regarded that the concept behind the work is more important than the artwork itself.
I paint intuitively and spontaneously with geometry as my shepherd; with the intention of creating works that people can connect to in a silent conversation, regardless of their cultural heritage. Art should be universally inclusive.
