Hi everybody,
Today, in episode 12 of the series Intuitive Art Diaries, I would like to tell you a bit more about one of my most recent intuitive mixed media paintings called Mosaic. It is both inspired by Antoni Gaudi's Trencadis and Japanese Kintsugi art.
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| Mosaic, Acrylics, Paint Pens and Paper Collage on Paper, 19cm x 28cm, Intuitive Mixed Media Painting |
I passed though Barcelona while visiting the highlights of Spain in 1995 and immediately fell in love with what I perceived as fairy houses sparkling with subtle colors, designed by an architect named Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926). In 2000 I spent more time in Barcelona while studying Art History and Archaeology at university. The focus of that trip was art and architecture so I got to take a closer look at my magical fairy houses. I was quite surprised that the effect was achieved by cementing together a variety of shapes and colors with little pieces of broken china. This technique that might be centuries old that Gaudi revived is called Trencadis. Gaudi was inspired by his imagination, the Orient and nature. I'm not aware of a deeper philosophical meaning of this technique except that it involves recycling. More recently I discovered Kintsugi, a Japanese form of art for mending broken china with silver or gold, which immediately reminded me of Gaudi's Trencadis. With Kintsugi there is a distinct philosophy associated with transforming broken objects into something even more beautiful and valuable. It carries its scars with pride and remembers its previous form as it matures. This can be a metaphor for the life of human beings.
For Mosaic I worked on 400g/m2 acrylic paper. I drew in random pieces, filled in a few with scrapbook paper and painted the others with acrylic paints. I then decorated the pieces with paint pens to make them look like a collection of broken china pieces. This I did to represent Gaudi's Trencadis. Finally, I filled in a few pieces and the separation between the others with a golden paint pen, representing the art of Kintsugi.
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| Mosaic, Acrylics, Paint Pens and Paper Collage on Paper, 19cm x 28cm, Intuitive Mixed Media Painting, Detail |
For Mosaic I worked on 400g/m2 acrylic paper. I drew in random pieces, filled in a few with scrapbook paper and painted the others with acrylic paints. I then decorated the pieces with paint pens to make them look like a collection of broken china pieces. This I did to represent Gaudi's Trencadis. Finally, I filled in a few pieces and the separation between the others with a golden paint pen, representing the art of Kintsugi.
I love the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi. It was perhaps part of Gaudi's philosophy as well. What I find especially intriguing about Trencadis is the magical effect of sparkling colors when you see it from a distance and the beauty created by many broken pieces when seen from close by. I plan to create more in this style.
The analysis of this work is part of my Intuitive Art Diaries series. Read the introduction to this series by clicking Intuitive Art Diaries: One Artwork at a Time.
Please share your thoughts. I would love to hear from you!
Love,
Rika
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Thank you for all your supportive and encouraging comments! I really appreciate them 💚 On topic questions are always welcome as well. I typically respond within 48 hours. Make sure to check the box ‘notify me’ before publishing if you want to get notified of my response. Best wishes, Rika 🌸