In 1989, there was a controversy around the National Gallery Museum because over $1 million was spent acquiring The Voice of Fire by Barnett Newman. Many of those criticisms had to do with spending public money for a painting that anybody would have been able to create. However, what was first considered frivolous spending turned out to be a good investment over the years because the value of this painting has increased.

Abstract paintings make you wonder: why does an artist, whether professional or amateur, make a particular formless spot in a particular place on his/her canvas or even choose one colour over another? Even though they seem oversimplified at first glance, I have found abstract paintings to have a lot of multidimensionality to them. One person may interpret the painting in one way, but someone else may interpret it differently.

I once tried to create such painting, and it turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant experience. It felt good because I was released from some kind of pressure that I put on myself to paint a subject in its details and perfect dimensions. Amazingly, even though the resulting work of art is a big spot of nothing, it would not feel right to hang it upside down just because I didn’t think of it that way.

I have found it to be an effective means of escapism. A canvas is like having a getaway resort right at home.

April 10, 2009 | Category: Arts