Cathedral

I propose to complete a series of paintings depicting tree groupings. The paintings will generally reference the overwhelming sensation possible in cathedral interiors. A combination of natural light, expanding space, and transparent colour create an effect called dematerialization. This is where the structure of the space becomes intangible or at least less important then the experience of it. The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia is a documented example of this phenomenon.

            Although all paintings are in a way encountered, these tree images will not create the feeling of dematerialization. They will instead act as metaphor of cathedrals and reference the experience generally or at the time the photo was taken.

            I’ll be using a lot of photography I’ve taken myself. I might have to incorporate found internet images but I’ll make it a general rule however to only use images I’d normally have access to, like Vancouver Island or Stanley Park.

            There are several artists working with tree images in the same way as I propose. Notably, Ed Pien has used cut out paper to create elaborate forest silhouettes. Gordon Smith’s painting falls somewhere between tangles of nature and swiftly applied painting abstraction.