Catalina M. Christensen 'Terrains Of Pigment"

About

Christensen’s practice progresses from micro to macro level, from processing the natural pigments to the creation of works, which call up distant memories and experiences of the artist in remote landscapes. Colours and textures immerse the viewer in a primal reaction to these recollections; bold and sundry nuances of blue and green sweep the canvas, while Earthy tones seep and stain, and coarse sediments add grit and roughness. Her hands-on approach to pigment collection and preparation, together with the use of traditional egg tempera techniques, coalesce to produce a profoundly distinctive visual style, through which thematic concerns are explored.This singular style is the ever-evolving product of the artist’s experimental nature.

“From the beginning of my artistic career, I have been fascinated with experimentation and the alchemy of materials. Three years ago, I took the decision to make my practice as environmentally neutral as possible, in line with my ecological concerns. This inspired me to use egg tempera instead of oils and turpentine and wherever possible to use natural materials as the source of my pigments. Currently, I use natural rock pigments I collect and process in my native Colombia as well as indigo dye, metal powders and their compounds reduced and oxidised through the application of natural chemical processes”.

Recently, Christensen has been collaborating with other artists by exchanging rocks and pigments, which in conjunction with her own pigments, donations and purchases form part of her overall pigment collection, a selection of which will be on display at the show.