When talking about abstract art, I often compare it to poetry. Like poets, us painters take the familiar and present it to you in a way that invites you to engage. In this series, I’m layering bits of shells, bark from trees and lines from the light on the ocean to share my reverence for the West Coast landscape. All of this comes together through my abstract (or poetic) heart.
Why this theme right now?
The famous french artist, Louise Bourgeois said that her art is meant to “reveal a contradiction.” I am immersed in nature. The West Coast of Canada is enormous mountain ranges, immense trees and the vast Pacific ocean. I find it so interesting that I seek the forest trails and the beach to find solace yet I know that nature is absolutely chaotic. Minute fungi are bursting out of rotting tree trunks, animals are scurrying as prey or pouncing as predators, and large branches break creating holes in the forest canopy letting in too much sun for some and creating the perfect environment for others.
Nature can’t be controlled, tamed or confined. This body of work presents harmonious compositions made from sporadic parts; wood grain, barnacle patterns or lines on a leaves. It reveals the paradox that most humans actually find harmony in the chaos of the natural world and this connection must be cherished and protected.
Blue painted poems
Shells, bark, light on the ocean
Running through my veins
If you would like to see this work when I release it during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, please contact me to book an appointment either in person or online!
marlenelowden@gmail.com
Oct 23-25 10am – 5pm
5% of proceeds from sales will be donated to the David Suzuki Foundation.
p.s. The titles are a nod to one of my favourite Canadian poets/songstress and a lover of the Sunshine Coast. Can you guess who?