Tuesday, December 15, 2009

GRID COMPOSITION IN ART

Mixed media by Rosalie Gascoigne

The grid forms the foundation of many artworks and sometimes it is so well hidden that you don't notice the underlying grid until someone happens to mention it, but in other pieces it is very obvious.


In this post I am featuring many of my old favourites as well as a few new ones. First and foremost, I LOVE Rosalie Gascoigne. Much of her work is based on an arrangement of shapes, squares and rectangles within a grid. Not that she would ever categorize her work. "Oh I don't do those deep thoughts" she said. "And in the end, okay, I was putting things in grids. But I didn't really know what a grid was. And that's the way it worked, it worked for me , you see."
Mixed Media by Rosalie Gascoigne . See more of her amazing art here.


Mixed Media with Kuba cloth collage by Hannes Harrs. See more here.

German artist Hannes Harrs became interested in Africa as a child when his uncle, who was a ships captain, returned from his travels with several African artefacts. Thus began Harrs obsession with the ancient arts of Africa. At the age of 23 he accomplished his dream when he settled in South Africa.

My dream is to own a Hannes Harrs. I love the rich earthy textures of the collages that incorporate old Kuba cloth and other African textiles.

Mixed Media with African textile collage by Hannes Harrs


Grid 2 (Driftwood, deer skull, found objects) by Bob Leibow. See more here.


Katrinas Garden. Mixed Media by Anita Cooke. This has to be seen enlarged to really appreciate it,
here.

The list of materials used in Katrinas Garden is quite impressive. Canvas, acrylics, acrylic gel, thread, ceramic grog, embroidery thread, rope, wood, rug lathing, copper wire, window screening and twine !!!

Lady Liberty by Wosene Kosrof. See more here.

Wosene Kosrof is an old favourite who I've featured in blog posts several times before. He has lived outside of Ethiopia since the 1970s. In his art he engages in an energetic dialogue with his Ethiopian heritage.


Interior Landscapes. Hand-woven tapestry by South African artist, Susqya Williams. See more here.


Equus Red by Laura Wait. See more here.


Mana he aga, Manako by John Pule. See more here.
Ahipara girl introduced me to John Pule's work last year in this interesting post, here. Scroll halfway down to see the gorgeous fabric that caught my attention.

39 comments:

  1. Yes. That underlying structure contrasted with deep textures is so pleasing to the eye.
    I bow to you in gratitude, Professor Robyn. Yours is my very favorite contemporary art course. xxoo

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  2. I am very excited to see all this grid works-- so glad you organized the different artists into this category of GRID- my own works always tend to have this underlining geometric division-- and even grid-like-- something that always used to bug me-- but lately had begun to just accept and realize that I am a geometric space divider with some circles and dots added at the end-- so love all these works and now can now be at peace and not fight with myself anymore :-)
    donna

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  3. They are all so good. I really like Anita Cook.

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  4. Stunning - how am I going to get any work done now that I've seen this collection?!! Something fascinating with every example you have posted - I will have to come back later for a longer browsing session.

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  5. Usually, I am not a fan of grids in artwork - but I think you many have turned me around. A very interesting post with some gorgeous examples...!

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  6. I own two Kuba cloths and I wouldn't dream of chopping them up. But the hannes Harrs work is fantastic and I'm almost tempted.

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  7. Rosalie always "woo's" me.
    Nothing too technical, pre-described or scientifically researched, about her work.
    Just simple pure stuff here, recycled stuff that is put together by a true artist's hand to create sheer poetry! The emotion just pours out! I loved seeing her show here in Melb. (gee, can't half tell I'm a fan)
    Thanks for the intro to the others too.
    John Pules work is stunning!

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  8. Incredible! These works are so inspirational...

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  9. Isn't it fascinating how a group of artists can use the same structure and create such diverse work? I've always been attracted to the order of the grid and frequently use it in my work. Sometimes it is visible and more times not. I loved this post.

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  10. What a wonderful array of art as usual Robyn. I love wandering through and shooting off to look at other artists sites.
    We had a stinking hot day yesterday nearly 40 C and then it rained for a lot of last night, not quite 1/2 inch but so lovely, then back to the 20's.It is ridiculous and the poor garden gets baked one minute and flooded, well not quite, the next.

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  11. Interesting how the concept of a grid is seen thru different eyes....

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  12. I love the collage-type/grid art. I thought the one with the deer skull was a carving of a woman reaching out. Good thing you said what it is. Ha... Nothing like an active imagination.

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  13. these are lovely...Imants Tillers is another artist [Australian/Latvian] working with grids
    all of his [big] paintings are made up of small canvasses pieced together on the wall

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  14. Wonderful stuff, dear Robyn!
    Love it all! Thanks for sharing!
    xo

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  15. I like these all so much, they are so varied, the appeal in each is different... I can't decide which might be a favorite! Loved getting closer looks at Anita Cooke's via the link - thanks for the education :)

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  16. I too thought the skull was someone reaching out!! My favourite artist here is Wosene Kosrof - what wonderful colour! I will be going straight over to check out more of his stunning work. Thanks for the getting us into grids Robyn!

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  17. Like Leslie, I too feel like calling you professor because I learn so much when I visit your blog. Sometimes I come to it feeling blah but I always leave inspired! You sure have a way with words and a generous spirit!

    Take care, Robyn! xox

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  18. dribble!!! Dribble dribble dribble....!

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  19. just love this post. the grid is something that I really am fascinated by, and admire the art of the grid, but it is so alien to me in my work, which is more linear in concept I think.. thanks for making me THINK!!! xx

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  20. Another wonderful collection of art and artists.

    When I saw the word "grid", I expected very rigid artwork. Not so. I do love the organization of a grid, yet I love how these artists have interpreted the grid in their own ways.

    Definitely my kind of art.

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  21. Robyn, every time I visit your blog I am blown away by the sheer energy of the images you choose, and the fact that you have been able to curate such wonders to share with us. You have an excellent eye, and I thank you for posting and introducing me to so many artists I might not be aware of.

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  22. Still here and still reading ... Katrina's Garden is amazing. And I am relieved that your security system is working, as is your pup. Lots of love.

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  23. I have found this post very stimulating and uplifting and I am sure I will visit it many times. I am particularly in love with the work of Rosalie Gascoigne. Thank you for sharing these wonderful works.

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  24. its such an inspiration to visit this blog.
    thanks :)

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  25. As always, your post is stunning and inspiring - I love grids but have never used them in my own work; I think you have just solved a problem I've been struggling with in my current painting. I've been feeling frustrated with it and have been avoiding continuing to work; now I'm excited to see what can happen! Thanks!

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  26. symmetrical or asymmetrical.. Repetition is my favourite part of grid formations and compositions...

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  27. These are brilliant, YOU are brilliant!
    I also enjoyed treasure hunting in X marks the spot, thankyou for the lovely posts!

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  28. Something so orderly about a grid, appeals to the left brain. But pulled together with stitches, swirls, fabrics is a perfect synergy with the right brain.

    Love the African textiles!

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  29. I saw that first image and thought 'Rosalie!'. I do love her work so. There was an old interview with her on tv not so long ago and she started her atistic journey ( although I'm sure she would have laughed at me calling it that), when she was stuck at home with her baby. She would go out with babe in the pram and collect stones and bits of wood etc and then arange them on her mantleshelf.

    The are some interviews on record at the Aust Nat Gallery site

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  30. Thank you for always having these wonderful post and sharing so much information. I always could stay for hours just looking.

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  31. Thanks to all who stop to comment on my blogposts. I love feedback!

    Thanks Leslie ..... now I'm feeling rather studious after being called Professor Robyn.

    Donna, that is good to hear. No more battling against an art style that comes so naturally and gracefully to you.

    Jasmine, I imagine you've had a close look at the details of Anita Cook's work. I appreciate it so much more having zoomed in to see what goes into each piece.

    Annie, that is my problem too! Since I'm so intrigued by all the art I find, I just can't get any work done. So! ..... I'm setting boundaries ..... after christmas.

    Sweetpea, glad you are reevaluating the grid in art. Sometimes you don't even realize its there.

    Jackie, I would never chop a kuba cloth up either ... unless the moths got into it. Hannes Harrs started doing this work when African textiles were easy to find at very low prices. Now they have become fashionable you pay an arm and a leg for them.

    Jo, I think you were the one who introduced me to Rosalie's work. From that moment I've become obsessed. I love the transcripts I found on the net. She was so down to earth and not phased by what people thought or expected of her.

    Black Purl, exactly the way I feel!

    Margaret, that is what fascinates me too. No matter what theme I choose to blog about there is such diversity..... Individual approaches and outlooks.

    Penny, the weather is behaving so oddly here too. Weeks and weeks of rain, then a day of extreme heat and then back to rain again.

    Oogleboops, the diversity is mind boggling.

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  32. Lisa at Greenbow, a good imagination will get you everywhere.

    iNdi@, thanks for the tip. Lately I've been discovering great Australian artists.

    Lawendula, my pleasure!

    Karin, it was quite a surprise zooming into Cooke's work wasn't it? Amazing detail.

    Caroline, I'm waiting to see what you do with the grid structure!

    Curio, my blog is a useful storage facility!

    Found art blog, exactly!

    Cat, if I've given you food for thought my work is done :-)

    Kim, "grid" does sound rigid doesn't it? Yet it needn't be.

    Judy, thanks so much.

    Hi Heather, the security system is up and doing its thing!

    Thanks Jacqueline.

    Black & White :-)

    Ian, glad you enjoyed the post.

    Thanks Megha.

    Terry Rafferty, now I'm intrigued!

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  33. Gwen, there's something magical about repetion.

    Lucky dip Lisa, thank you!

    Beverly, you've hit the nail on the head. An interplay between left and right brain.

    HHNB, I loved the transcript! Rosalie was quite a character wasn't she? I imagine you've seen quite a few Gascoigne's face to face.

    Katelen, it's all the looking that's getting me into trouble..... so much work is not getting done!

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  34. I have always been drawn to grids. And you have come up with so much variety here, it just makes grids even more intriguing to me!

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  35. Such a satisfying composition and a wonderful collection here. The list of ingredients in Katrina's garden gets one thinking of all kinds of possibilities... Pule and Kosrof's pieces are delightfully stimulating.

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  36. I like the idea of using grids. I think I need to explore that.

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  37. Your blog is sooo inspiring! Thank you for sharing these wonderful artists!

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