Form is transparent. The subject, which is rendered hyper-realistically, and
content are primary. I believe the colossal scale of the subject and compressed
field of view are a play off of the artist’s name. The delicate treatment of
the fibers on the rind and the reflected light on the surface the subject rests
on remind me of the scattering of sunbeams through Jupiter’s ring system when the
planet to eclipses the Sun. |
The subject of this work is a kiwi wedge rendered to a level of realism that is
slightly beyond what is possible in reality. The dominance of the subject is so
great that it takes on a level of abstraction, and integral components of the
fruit are fully fleshed out and nearly separate themselves as subjects.
Color, texture and shape, more than other elements, are fully unified in this
work. The color scheme is cool analogous. Texture is probably the prominent element,
which is a great portion of the reason why the scale and field of view are
treated the way they are. Elliptical, oblong shapes are encapsulated inside similar
shapes, and then again, to amazing effect. They also create a sense of rhythm. Shapes within the subject are clearly defined and rendered with great respect. Because
of this sense of near-segmentation, their overlapped, touched or blended edges create
a flat sense of space. Pictorially, this work rests directly in the center
of the definition of approximate symmetry.
This work has one of the more interesting and rare elemental contrasts found in
fine art in how shapes are defined: sharply-defined and overly blended edges not used to define depth. This provides the
characteristic texture of this work. Curved biomorphic shapes are the only type
found, yet they are nearly geometric. Squat, small, oblong, numerous ones
contrast against two large, circular ones. Warm, pure greens overpower the dense
blue background. While the radiating combination of shapes are strongly
harmonized through repeated shape and size, exquisite variation is installed
through minor differences in their elemental length, number, position, color
and transparency.
One of the reasons why the components within the overall subject take on a life
of their own is because of the directional vitality they have. The seeds seem
to be simultaneously pressing the contents surrounding them outward similar to
hydrogen/helium fusion in the core of the sun, forming a bubble at the same
time they are pointed towards the center, compressing and warming it. The elliptical seeds not only carry a distinct
directional sense of force; the starkest value contrast in this work is present
where their arched sides are juxtaposed against greenish-white cell shapes. This
abrupt value contrast is repeated at center-bottom of the canvas, where a light
gradient is silhouetted against shadow.
Perspective is perpendicular and even with the incision of the kiwi wedge. The
transparent use of the picture frame provides another example of how
professionally well-crafted this work is. It is cropped so close to the subject
that further emphasis is thrust upon it. The amazing photographic realism of this work effects not only sight but other
senses as well; touch, taste and maybe even scent. Overall, this work
masterfully isolates how the visual element of texture, and its elevation to
communicative strategy, differs from other more obvious elements in that it
most readily bleeds into the other senses.
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