Painting Of The Week

10. Why use Letters and Words in a Composition?

In this picture 'Below the Surface' I wanted to think about the 'hot' political topic of drilling for oil in the polar regions. The idea of drilling in the pristine arctic wastes filled me with horror and and I wanted to make a picture that would focus on that. I decided to use words as part of the composition. I used words that were in documentation about how the drilling would be done. 
The dark border and the tinges of red alluded to my fear for our Mother Earth.
The picture has stimulated a great deal of discussion amongst viewers about the work itself and the issues it covers.
I have been asked about the whole thing of writing on art work. People are strongly divided 'for' or 'against' doing it. I do it when I feel it is a necessary part of the expression of the idea. Another contemporary artist who often uses this devise is Kurt Jackson (eg See 'Sennen 19.9.98 3p.m. surfers rushing into the sea.......')

Below the Surface - Liz Cleves: 
 Water colour on acid free paper  87cm x  68cm  - mounted and framed. Price on enquiry.