Spiraling Out
From Student Link
Spiraling Out by Philip Bernard
Philip Bernard will create an installation, using paper, charcoal and oil pastels. The artist wraps the surface with paper and constructs on this plane a vivacious series of spirals. The technique is somewhat reminiscent of Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings, in that the act of spiraling itself is the real work of art and the drawings that are left are the remnant. The installation is performance.
Artist's statement:
Spiraling Out an installation using paper, charcoal, and oil pastels
Philip Bernard
I have been experimenting with this technique of "spiraling" for about two years. It is somewhat reminiscent of Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, in that the swirling creation of the spirals is the real work of art, and the drawings that are left are the remnant. The installation becomes a performance.
The act of spiraling is cathartic. I practice by drawing spirals in the air, spiraling in my scetch book, scripting fictional accounts of people spiraling out of control. Many of the spirals resemble forms in nature: cyclones, topiaries, tendrils, smoke, clouds. Emotionally they allude to abandonment, shame spirals, and ultimately, spiritual renewal.
There is a certain compulsion to it all. Going over the spirals again and again with layers of charcoal and color. The spiraling images themselves somehow solidify and retain the motion of the original act of creation.
