12 / Wabi-Sabi & Embracing loss of control

26/01/23

I recently discovered the ancient Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi through reading a book I picked up at Whitechapel gallery. The principles of Wabi-Sabi are completely aligned with my approach toward my project this year. Though the philosophy is comparable to Romanticism, it was a more spiritual/ambiguous depth – and the resulting artistic outcomes are very different to the romanticist paintings of the 1700’s.

I think discovering Wabi-Sabi has given me some much needed context in terms of materiality, shape, form, etc.

In the ceramics workshop I created forms that were more free flowing and layered.

I took a similar approach when experimenting with Hessian. Rather than trying to merge it into a painting composition, I’ve tried cutting pieces up quite haphazardly, and layering them to see what type of 3D form is created.

I also did this with my found materials and made a sculpture by hot glueing a small white feather on top of a cracked slab of concrete.

I’m really happy with how this has turned out – although really simple, I love the tension that’s created by placing these two opposite materials together. The contrast speaks for itself – no need for metaphors or careful curation – just allowing the materials to speak.