Chaos Unveiled

Mahek P.
704288
AV1 3MR
Dr. Smitka
2023/06/01
Step 1:
Artist 1: Jason Martin
For my deconstruct/reconstruct piece I chose to take some inspiration from the artist Jason
Martin. For some background information, Martin employs a minimalist approach to painting.
He utilizes an expensive, yet controlled array of colour, brush and various mediums. He works
with various materials including pigment, acrylic, oil paint, graphite and cast metal in order to
experiment beyond the fundamental basis of painting. Martin's compositions vary from swirling
forms to simplified and subdued abstractions in precisely blended tones. The paintings are
structured according to the harmonious relationships between the different hues he uses for a
piece. One of the key techniques that Martin uses in his work is the dragging of pigment, acrylic
gel, or oil paint across hard surfaces such as aluminum, stainless steel, or Plexiglas using a fine,
comb-like tool (Lisson Gallery, 2018). This technique creates a layered, textured effect that is
characteristic of many of Martin's works. Martin carefully selects the materials used for his
artwork for their properties, such as viscosity or texture, and uses them to explore the
fundamentals of painting. In addition to his technical skills, Martin is also highly skilled in
colour theory, which is evident in the harmonious relationships between the hues in his paintings.

Untitled Silver IV (2017) Untitled (Ebony) 2015

I was drawn to Jason Martin's Untitled Silver IV for inspiration due to its minimalistic yet
intricate abstract form. The large-scale painting, created in 2017, spans over six feet in height
and width and utilizes a monochromatic silver colour palette. What struck me was the way in
which Martin utilized various shades and textures within a single colour, creating a sense of
depth and movement. The painting features layered, parallel lines running horizontally across the
canvas, created using Martin's signature technique of dragging a comb-like tool through wet
paint. This technique creates a textured effect that I am eager to experiment with using plaster
gauze on canvas. Despite its abstract nature, the artwork conveys a sense of structure and order,
with the horizontal lines providing a sense of flow and movement. The silver colour palette adds
to the painting's understated elegance and sophistication, making it a work of art that continues
to inspire me for this project.

The painting Untitled (Ebony) is another standout piece in Martin's collection that captivated me
with its unique techniques and visual appeal. The thick, textured layers of paint are applied with
Martin's signature method of dragging a comb-like tool through wet paint, creating a sense of
depth and dimensionality with variations in texture from smooth and reflective to rough and
tactile. The canvas is covered with parallel lines that run horizontally, not uniform in thickness
and texture, but instead vary in a way that creates a sense of movement and rhythm throughout
the piece. I am inspired to incorporate this painting's style into my project by cutting around
areas and threading sections of the canvas to create uneven edges and issue a sense of depth,
similar to Martin's work. The layers of paint and texture in Untitled (Ebony) give the painting a
sense of weight and substance, while the horizontal lines create a sense of movement and flow.
The black colour palette adds drama and intensity to the artwork, and the interplay of light and
shadow emphasizes the painting's tactile surface. I aim to create a visually striking piece that
engages the viewer with its complexity and depth, much like Untitled (Ebony).
Artist 2: Piet Mondrian
Another artist whose work I found to be interesting is Piet Mondrian. Piet Mondrian was a Dutch
painter known for his distinctive abstract style and use of primary colours. He developed his own
artistic style, which he called neoplasticism, characterized by the use of geometric shapes, right
angles, and primary colours (Schjeldahl, 2022). His work sought to create a universal art that
would transcend cultural and national boundaries. Mondrian worked with various materials,
including oil paint, charcoal, and pencil. His use of colour was highly controlled and
minimalistic, with his paintings often composed of simple rectangular shapes in primary colours
(red, yellow, and blue), along with black, white, and gray. Mondrian believed that using these
basic colours and shapes would lead to a universal language of art that could be understood by
people from different cultures and backgrounds. Mondrian's technique involved using a grid-like
structure to divide his canvases into a series of rectangles. He then applied paint in flat,
unmodulated areas within these rectangles. The lines and shapes he created were carefully
balanced and composed, with every element carefully considered to create a sense of harmony
and balance. Mondrian's artistic style was highly controlled, with every element carefully
considered to create a sense of harmony and balance. His use of geometric shapes, primary
colours, and a grid-like structure has had a lasting influence on the development of abstract art
(National Gallery of Canada).

Broadway Boogie Woogie. 1942-43

The artwork from the artist Piet Mondrian that I use for inspiration is Broadway Boogie Woogie
a famous artwork created by Piet Mondrian in 1942-43. The painting is an example of his mature
style, which is characterized by the use of geometric shapes and primary colours. The artwork
features a grid of brightly coloured squares and rectangles, arranged in a seemingly random but
carefully calculated pattern that creates a dynamic sense of movement and rhythm. The
organized yet abstract artwork is something I want to use as a reference for this project. By
eliminating patches of the canvas and adding onto others I will be able to create a significant
contract between negative and positive space. I like the organized pixelated feel to the artwork
which I wish to incorporate into my own piece. The squares and rectangles are not solid but
instead consist of smaller rectangles in different shades of the same colour, giving the painting a
sense of depth and texture. This is something I made replicate through the use of thread to
outline various shapes on the canvas to create a geometric sequence. Mondrian meticulously
planned the placement of each shape, and carefully adjusted their size and colour to create a
visual balance within the composition. The use of the grid structure and the bright colours create
a sense of energy and vibrancy, evoking the lively atmosphere of the city.
Artist 3: Robert Delaunay
Lastly, Robert Delaunay is another abstract artist that I greatly admire and look for inspiration for
this project. He was a French painter known for his contribution to the development of abstract
art, particularly Orphism, a movement that emphasized the use of bright, contrasting colors and
geometric shapes (Artincontext, 2023). Delaunay was a master of color theory and used it
extensively in his works. He was fascinated with the interaction between colors and how they
can create a sense of movement and depth. He often used bright, vivid colors, and contrasting
shades to create dynamic compositions. He also experimented with different painting techniques,
including divisionism and pointillism. He later developed his own style of painting, which he
called "simultanism," in which he created a visual representation of motion and energy by
breaking down images into geometric shapes and planes of color (Cramer, 2020). In terms of
materials, Delaunay worked with oil paints on canvas, and he also created collages and mixed
media works. He often incorporated commercial materials, such as newspaper clippings, into his
artworks, which added texture and depth to his compositions. Overall, Delaunay's techniques and
skills as an artist involved a mastery of color theory, geometric abstraction, and the use of mixed
media materials to create dynamic and visually engaging works of art.

Circular Forms (1930)

Out of Delaunay's vast collection, I was particularly drawn to Circular Forms, a masterpiece that
showcases a series of brilliantly coloured circles and semicircles arranged seemingly at random
on a white background. Delaunay's masterful use of vivid hues like red, blue, and yellow creates
a sense of movement and dynamism, with the colours blending and overlapping in places. I was
inspired by the way he overlapped the shapes, which gave the painting a sense of depth and
dimensionality. I plan on incorporating this overlapping technique in my artwork by layering
various materials to create a visually striking piece. The bold colour palette and seemingly
arbitrary arrangement of the shapes create an interesting visual tension in the artwork, drawing
the viewer's attention and inspiring a sense of curiosity and contemplation. Overall, Circular
Forms is a masterclass in colour theory and composition, showcasing Delaunay's skillful use of
materials and his artistic vision.
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
 References

Nast, Condé. “The Mysteries of Mondrian.” The New Yorker, 26 Sept. 2022,

www.newyorker.com/magazine.

Dr. Charles Cramer and Dr. Kim Grant, "Simultanism: Robert Delaunay," in Smarthistory,

April 7, 2020, https://www.gallery.ca/collection/artist/piet-mondrian

artincontext. “Robert Delaunay - a Look at the Artist behind Robert Delaunay’s Paintings.”

Artincontext.org, 18 Mar. 2022, artincontext.org/robert-delaunay/.

‌“Robert Delaunay | MoMA.” The Museum of Modern Art, www.moma.org/artists/1479.

‌“Simultanism: Robert Delaunay – Smarthistory.” Smarthistory.org,

https://smarthistory.org/simultanism-robert-delaunay/

“Jason Martin | Artists | Lisson Gallery.” Www.lissongallery.com,

https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/jason-martin