MFA Exhibition at the Nickle Arts Museum
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
July - Sept., 2002
My inspiration for this exhibition was based on the book entitled 365 Tao: Daily Meditations written by American Chinese author Deng Ming-Dao. Each image corresponds to a certain day of the year and is a visual reflection of a one-word title and poetic aphorism as presented in Deng Ming-Dao's book. The project was based on a commitment to start one drawing a day for the year of 2001 using a small format of consistent dimensions. This chronological project reflects the idea of time made manifest and the overall cyclical premise is reinforced by the fact that the images are created by recycling previous drawings, prints and selected digital imagery.
Each day, I would read the aphorism and accompanying text in Deng Ming Dao's book 365 Tao: Daily Meditations and then begin a drawing on the corresponding day of the year. The choice of small-scale format of consistent dimensions, (7.5 inches by 10 inches) allowed for the completion of each piece given the short time frame of one image per day. The imagery is constructed by layering direct drawing techniques with the fragments of recycled drawings, prints and some collage elements created by digital means. Every aspect of the composition in each drawing communicates information. Quality and character of line, movement, tone, and placement are all key to the poetic interpretation of each piece. The drawing process is contemplative and strives for a sense of harmonics by focusing on the middle ground in-between dualities allowing for the magic of the creative process to manifest it -- permitting contemplation to become visible and take on tangible form. |
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365 Visual Meditations - 2002
mixed media collage on paper, 14 ft × 70 ft
[installation photograph] |
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365 Visual Meditations - 2002
mixed media collage on paper, 14 ft × 70 ft
[installation photograph] |
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365 Visual Meditations - 2002
mixed media collage on paper, 7.5 in × 10 in (each)
[installation detail] |
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365 Visual Meditations - 2002
mixed media collage on paper, 7.5 in × 10 in (each)
[installation detail] |
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82. ATTUNEMENT Mar 23, 2001 - 2001
mixed media collage on paper, 7.5 in × 10 in |
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208. ESSENCE Jul 27, 2001 - 2001
mixed media collage on paper, 10 in × 7.5 in |
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268. NATURE Sept 25, 2001 - 2001
mixed media collage on paper, 7.5 in × 10 in |
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286. TEACHING Oct 13, 2001 - 2001
mixed media collage on paper, 7.5 in × 10 in |
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307. LILY Nov 03, 2001 - 2001
mixed media collage on paper, 7.5 in × 10 in |
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343. ALIENATION Dec 9, 2001 - 2001
mixed media collage on paper, 7.5 in × 10 in |