FIGURING LIGHT - Write 200 words

For this Journal task we had to go and visit the FIGURING LIGHT, Colour and The Intangible Exhibition at Djanogly Art Gallery, Lakeside. Choose a piece of work and write 200 words about the artist use of colour and light.


In this drawing Duncan Bullen’s use of colour is minimalist in the way he only uses 3 colours (Red, White and Blue). These colours are effective in the way they contrast each other on opposite sides of the colour wheel. I like they way he portrays the use of solid colours and trying to avoid shades.

I think he uses red as the central colour giving the dots a real sense of energy and power over the blue. Using the red to construct a veil of marks, which in turn creates space where colour generates a field of light – a visual energy.

Duncan is known for using dots to portray a shape or pattern instead of rectangle blocks. I think it’s good where he uses blue and white to make the picture sharp and clean.

Duncan uses aluminium to help give this picture a reflective look which gives it more brightness and luminosity. Another way in which the artist uses bright colours to resemble light is his choice of colours and how choosing 2 of the brightest colours immediately gives the feel of light. Apart from using bright colours to represent light, Duncan uses a hint of red acting as a contrasting colour to give the picture a 3D look.

Duncan Bullen Drawing #1. 04.08, 2008
www.duncanbullen.com

Picture from - http://www.axisweb.org/works/full/b683/74164.jpg