Untitled no.9 | Mixed media Photo Collage & paint | 30x60
The Art Institute of Atlanta's art gallery featured Fragmented Florals, a solo exhibition of paintings by mixed-media artist, E. Vincent Martinez. Gallery director, Taylor Bareford sat with Vincent to discuss the collection and the inspiration behind it.
FRAGMENTED FLORALS
Flowers often display the most character as they near death. They come to life as they twist, turn and dance. They change color, form and wilt back to the Earth. The Fragmented Floral Series takes this notion to a transcendental place as emotions about death and rebirth emerge.
An exploration of negative and positive space challenges the idea of the here and now with negative space symbolizing a void and an absence while simultaneously commanding a strong presence through repetitive pattern. Erratic scribblings represent words and thoughts -- illegible markings, though not mindless. They also serve as an expressive and impulsive release for feelings of anger, frustration and darkness. There is lightness, however, and it is revealed under layers of paint that allow bright color to show through.
The abstract-expressionist approach of the series provides and emotional outlet for the subconscious mind – a letting go of the contrived and just letting be. Fragmented Florals is about a purposeful release of control, life after death, beauty in darkness and the emotive power of flowers.
