I started to work with mica during the Tony Onley Program for artists in Wells in summer 2008. Mica is a very fascinating mineral to me and, while working with it, I started to realize that it shows me enormously interesting aspects:
• Depth by layers
• Effect of Geometry
• Concept of Simplicity
• Strength and Transparency at the same time
• Perfection of creation
• Components create a whole
• Transparency and light create colour and mirrors
The understanding of mica as a material is such an interesting process which leads to many different ideas of how to show its functions. In paintings it always leads to layers and geometry, which usually ends in any kind of formation of rocks and mountains. The 3 D effect after scraping layers of acrylics on to the canvas, is surprisingly intense and an appealing method for me to work with.
I would also like to show sculptures, which combine different layers of contradictory material and texture in order to show the beauty of mica in its simple and raw form. I also find it important to show something that will describe the use and function of mica in the past and present.
Inspired by that interesting material, I decided to create a body of work for an exhibition.
With the series ‘Mica, Flakes and Mountains’ I’d like to translate the aspects of Mica, what it means to me and what I learned from it.