Lawrence Nash RWA
All Rights Reserved Lawrence Nash RWA 2023
About the work
Gestural Mark:
Repetition, Action, Meditation, 3 levels - physical, psychological, spiritual,
The
work subverts and transcends the formal elements of gesture held so highly in abstract
expressionism. In abstract expressionism directness of expression was paramount,
best achieved through lack of premeditation and the uniqueness of the mark.
This
work is perceived as premeditated, structured and repetitious.
As in meditation,
repetition is integral. Through repetition the act itself is internalized, so that
marks are made without having to concentrate on the making of the mark, but on the
state of mind while making the mark. This is then reflected in the quality of that
mark, recognized by comparison as the mark is repeated.
The result can be compared
to a dance - full of lightness and energy. The body is completely relaxed and the
mind is strong and confident.
The work moves through exuberance, limitation, lack
of control and even a kind of positive laziness, much the same way that zen artist
Kazuaki Tanahashi would approach his single stroke paintings with 'inspired laziness'.
With works such as '8 ways are 1' this energy of the mark is repeated 'three dimensionally'
through layers of glass, changing the viewing experience as the observer moves around
the work.