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The
Work of
Beck Berrett
In
my paintings, I have been using a layering technique to show the
different levels of a memory. I have a fascination with dreams
and the unconscious. I am interested particularly in the
distance between sleeping and waking, the almost tangible moment of
transition as a person falls from one into the other - such as Alice
falling down the rabbit hole. One important aspect for me has
been to work out a marriage between abstract ground, unrecognizable
organic shapes, and representation. Using personal icons and
symbolism I map out the narrative within my paintings. Wanting
to keep the visual depth very flat, no more than six to twelve inches
into the picture plane, I have taken the horizon line out, allowing
the images to float.
Most
of my drawings and paintings are mixed media works including oil,
pencil, chalk, wax and lacquered spills, and cut and pasted paper on
paper or canvas. As I add on top, I disregard revealing some
aspects of underneath layers. Because memory builds and moves,
what is revealed becomes an inter-woven dream space, in which the
viewer must search the layers to see what was added first, second and
so on. The layers cover, then in parts the ground comes back through.
Where
my subject matter is concerned, I relate mostly with feminist
artists. The War Series of Nancy Spero, writings of Mira Schor,
and 1980's etchings of Paula Rego inspire me. My wild brush
strokes and paint drips, however, have an expressionistic
influence. I have been inspired by American Expressionists
artworks particularly those of Willem de Kooning, early Jackson
Pollock, and Joan Mitchell. I admire current artists that use
traditional materials in non-traditional ways such as Josh Dorman's
use of multiple points of perspective and media within a single
piece, or Beatriz Milhaze's unique layering technique. |
Abstract
Works
by
artist Beck Berrett
To view my gallery Click
Here
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