Silence
Silence: Artist Statement
These drawings evolve from my past figurative subjects, mainly trees, to other organics that inspire my pursuit of abstraction.
Abstract drawings and paintings offer a certain stillness, a silence, a peace I see in both the atmospheric canvases of Mark Rothko and the fiery paintings of Joan Mitchell. The absence of a pictorial narrative invites broad interpretation and deep introspection. For me, this imagery responds forcefully to the relentless clamor of contemporary life, existential threats, and political instability. I see abstraction as a sanctuary in these troubling times.
Materially, I’ve developed a fondness for working with oil pastels. The smooth consistency and pigment-rich colors offer great creative latitude. The new shape language I’m exploring is biomorphic, echoing ancestral signs and symbols.
Driven by “simplexity,” I build images that are both simple at first glance and complex when studied closely. Avoiding predetermined contours, I create shapes from the “inside out” with multiple layers of pastel, blending hues and scratching the surface to add texture. Edges, intentionally softened, allow the drawings to “breathe” while blackened shapes contrast the saturated color backgrounds, adding serenity to the image.
These oil pastels measure 9.5” x 12.5” and are drawn on 140 lb. Sennelier paper, fixed for handling, with a perforated top edge. Each drawing in the Silence collection is offered unframed at $500.00 plus tax and shipping. Custom framing is available for an additional $300. If you are interested in purchasing any of this work, please get in touch with me at:
Cell/Text 917-776-2587 Email: kennethcarbone@gmail.com. Referrals to potential collectors are appreciated.
