Ed Whitmore – Silent Radiance

Description

Artist Statement

I work with the controlled oxidation of iron, copper, and bronze metal effects paint which creates patina, a thin layer of oxidation that forms on the surface through age and exposure. Under natural weathering, a patina layer takes many years to develop, but it can also be produced by spraying the paint with a chemical reagent, which is what I do. The process yields natural yet dramatic effects that convey the passage of time.  In traditional Japanese art, wabi-sabi is an aesthetic view centered on the acceptance of imperfection.  It is a composite of Wabi (austere beauty) and sabi (rustic patina). My paintings and sculptures evoke a sense of serene melancholy and spiritual longing, the very essence of wabi-sabi. I also strive to infuse my work with anima, the vital principle or animating force within all living things.