MFA Graduation Show 2022: Energy Maps
- Linda Gilbert
- Jan 3, 2023
- 2 min read
I have always made a lot of work. Some pieces develop in layers over time, others seem to arrive quickly, but there are usually several paintings in progress in my studio. I have made even more work than usual over the past two years - so it took me several weeks to select the pieces I considered clearly communicated my ideas. Twenty pieces were taken down to Auckland to consider in situ for my final exhibition. After 6 hours of being in the space and curating different scenarios I reduced the show to 14 pieces, my catalogue and artist statement.
'Energy Maps' was ready.
While nothing beats the real thing, digital copies can be viewed below:
Catalogue link:
Artist contextual statement - Linda Gilbert - Energy Maps
Informed by my sensory experiences, Energy Maps explores push and pull energies experienced from the earth. While these subtle feelings can be explained by science, here they are explored through material processes.
These intuitive works respond to my curious attractions to certain places, geolocation, and quiet, persistent psychic nudges. They talk about the Kaipara area - specifically Kaiwaka and the surrounding limestone environments.
Limestone is diamagnetic which means that magnetic fields do not interact with it at all, or it makes a weak negative magnetic field in response. I see this as a 'push energy'. Magnetoreception is a sensory response to magnetic fields, or perhaps a 'pull energy'.
Limestone environments bring about a feeling of calm and act as a counterpoint to the pull energy of being attracted to particular places. It was this 'pull energy' that led me to Kaiwaka in late 2019.
The works are made from a wide range of media including charcoal, pastel, acrylic paint and ink. Drawing, painting, printmaking and sculptural processes are employed as layers are built up and removed from the substrate, called rock stock paper.
The materiality of the substrate mirrors the limestone environment as both are formed from calcium carbonate. The materiality of surface and the idea collide.
Through capture, trace and a just-below-the-surface awareness, earth is given agency - mediated through the materiality of painting.
Installation
List of works
1. Deep Down, 640 x 480 mm, 2022.
2. Limestone Fields Forever, 250 x 205 mm, 2022.
3. Light Energy Map, 900 x 640 mm, 2022.
4. No Man’s Land, 900 x 640 mm, 2022.
5. Pulse, 250 x 205 mm, 2022.
6. Rhythmic Frequencies, 250 x 205 mm, 2022.
7. Burn, 600 x 470 mm, 2022.
8. It Dissolves in Water II, 810 x 610 mm, 2022.
9. The Big Dynamo, 900 x 640 mm, 2022.
10. Rupture, 250 x 205 mm, 2022.
11. Molten, 250 x 205 mm, 2022.
12. Magnetic Fields Forever, Zizz II, 600 x 460 mm, 2022.
13. Pullyu II (Kaipara), 673 x 455 mm, 2022.
14. Energy Fields I, 250 x 205 mm. 2022.
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