Christina Bartsch
Artist Statement
Spring, 2006
Art is not made in isolation, it is not separate from the world at hand, but reflects it. Art cannot be created in seclusion. Currently, my work concerns how one learns to regard oneself. The primary influence, particularly early in life, is the family. My work is aiming to show how this family influence is both restraining individuality and protecting that individual from harm, the chaos of the indefinable self. In a broader sense, socialization that is started by the family is through out society for the same purpose, to prevent chaos and self destruction. Without this taught commonality, society would not exist as it now does.
I am a printmaker by nature and I use a process called etching to develop
my images. This allows me to develop richness in values and the ability to
develop interesting lines and textures that are harder to develop in other
disciplines. Formally, I use asymmetrical compositions. This progression
has helped my work become more dynamic and energized as a whole. I want to
illustrate tension and danger, so as to make the viewer call into question
what is meant by the piece and title as a whole. I also use abstraction coupled
with a rendered form to develop a dialogue between what is comfortable and
what is harsh and unforgiving. I, on occasion, use color to point out focal
points in my etchings. I personally enjoy using earthy tones that are some
what muted, but also vibrant, like brick red or a rich brown.
One artist I recently found is Grant Wood. His work deals with domestic life, mostly set in the country. He uses rounded figures and muted colors. Wood doesn’t show much contrast, unlike my own work, but I am attracted to his work because of the mild abstraction. I find that quality to be very interesting. I also find myself drawn to the work by Twombly, as well. He uses lines and color to develop an abstract language. I enjoy his work because he develops fascinating lines and texture. That type of abstract using simply line is something I admire but I personally have not been able to master. Another artist I recently came across is Art Werger. He is a printmaker who uses the process of mezzotints to develop a rich glowing image. I enjoy that quality and have incorporated that glowing property in my own work, using aquatints.