Graphite, paint, salt crystals, and resin on MDF board
For this piece, my intention was to create an abstract painting, showcasing the naturally-occurring colors in salt ponds which are the subjects of photographer David Burdeny’s series named Salt. The colors and patterns of these photographs intrigued me and from there grew my fascination for the subject. I was even more inspired by the idea and purpose behind the photographs. Directly quoting from his website and the essay on the Salt series, “David Burdeny’s Salt photographs aim to be more evocative and exalted than pedestrian” [...] Burdeny has always had a deft appreciation for the artistic potential of pure space and how it can be purposefully structured to appeal to the senses. He has become a master of the photographic moment made in service of a sublime sensibility.”
After some research, I learned the vibrant pigments of these salterns are produced by a chemical reaction. With all this in mind, what resulted as the final product is a haphazard pattern of geometric shapes - encased in a square - which I shaded maintaining a distinct color palette - excluding the single tone of blue. To further establish the connection to salt, as well as emphasize the 3 dimensional feature of the subject, I sprinkled salt crystals in some of the spaces. Finally, the use of 3D gold paint and resin to produce a glossy finish complete the piece.
Read more about David Burdeny’s Salt series here.
