Andy Goldsworthy, John wolsely and Rosalie Gascoigne Essay Example

smallest details. His artwork showcases his experience with a specific part of the land and aims to examine the relationship between man and nature. It serves as a study of this relationship. With a lived experience similar to an Aboriginal individual, Wolseley observes the spirituality of the land and certain places. He also shows great concern for the environment, focusing on issues such as mining, preservation, and pollution. His artwork reflects this ecological concern. The Poets Fence - The four frames - My initial impression of Wolseley's "The Poets Fence" was a feeling of warmth and appreciation for the piece, reminiscent of a small garden.The background, with the little bush and warm ruddy wash, reminds me of stones and the sundown. I appreciate the subtle tones in the graphics and the details of the plants. The artwork brings about feelings of happiness and tranquility. It is a very serene piece. The intricate lines in the artwork are created through frotting, a technique used by Wolseley to add more significance to his work. This technique involves rubbing the paper onto the remains of burnt trees and bushes. Wolseley began with frotting and then incorporated it into the rest of the piece. The colors used in the artwork are vibrant, with various shades being utilized. However, the background washes are more delicate, consisting of soft colors that do not distract from the main subject. This artwork is a watercolor picture, utilizing frotting and background washes as some of its techniques. The background wash and frottage were done first before adding the main picture. This piece illustrates a contrast between man and nature. It depicts a fence surrounded

by bushes and trees. The message being conveyed is that man's attempts to control the land always fail as nature is much stronger. The fence has corroded while the surrounding vegetation remains intact. This artwork serves as a satire, mocking the idea of man's domination over nature. The fence serves as a symbol for man while being surrounded by nature.The text describes the fencing as weak and unremarkable, while emphasizing that the surrounding works are bold and expressive. The artist aims to illustrate man's inability to control nature, no matter how hard he tries. The materials and techniques employed are unique to Wolseley, as he employs a non-conventional method that is not widely embraced by other artists. The piece titled "A History of Parrots" evokes feelings of a hot summer day, with singing lorikeets and rosellas, and an irresistible urge to go to the beach. The artwork depicts a journey with a map in the background and words displayed across the page, invoking a sense of closeness to nature and a deeper appreciation for it. The shape and colors in the piece are warm and gentle, effectively complementing one another. Watercolor is the primary medium used. The birds depicted appear incredibly lifelike, almost three-dimensional rather than two-dimensional. Given that rosellas and lorikeets are native to Australia, the cultural representation depicted is Australian. Additionally, Wolseley has embraced the beliefs of the Australian Aboriginal people, resulting in his art being rooted in Australian culture and reflecting the spiritual connection between people and land.This work is in the mainstream, but it remains original due to Wolseley's unique pattern. While this piece may appear to be a delicate watercolor

of birds, Wolseley fans who are familiar with his pattern can see a deeper meaning. It represents a journey and exploration of the landscape, highlighting the beautiful native animals of Australia.

Rosalie Gascoigne, like Goldsworthy and Wolseley, is also an environmentalist and her main inspiration comes from the Australian outback. Gascoigne collects weathered materials and incorporates them into her sculptures, always using objects she has personally found. She is often referred to as an artistic hunter and gatherer. The artist prefers weathered and rustic materials because she believes they possess the essence of life. Gascoigne selects materials based on their surface, form, and color, never altering them in any way, but rather sawing, splitting, and fragmenting them to create captivating compositions. She pays great attention to the order and arrangement of her work, often working in a grid format. Techniques such as repetition and tessellation, which she learned from her previous experience in the ancient Japanese art of ikebana (the art of flower arrangement), are evident in her artwork. These techniques allow her to create effective repetition, form, and shape in her sculptures.Gascoigne's vision of utilizing her preferred materials in the art of ikebana led her to experiment with elusive and intricate colors, such as greys, yellows, and earth tones. Her work delves deep into the subconscious, evoking memories and experiences, both good and bad, which make her pieces highly emotional. Instead of simply replicating landscapes, Gascoigne employs form, surface, and composition to transport viewers back to personal moments. This fresh perspective encourages us to view landscapes in a new light. Gascoigne's use of repetition in her artwork mirrors the natural cycle of seasons that

repeat each year. Living in the countryside greatly influences her work, reflecting the flow and relaxed yet strenuous nature of rural life. Gascoigne finds joy in working with aged materials as they possess a rich narrative and intriguing history. Through examining the surface and imagining their past, these materials become a personal connection for Gascoigne, imbuing her art with life and significance. One of her works, "Tiepolo parrots," conjures images of an ancient wooden birdhouse or treehouse where parrots dwell.The birdhouse has endured rain and air currents, causing the boxes to weather. Birds seek shelter in the house, evoking images of an old farm in the outback where they feed from the nutrient-filled birdhouse. The Arnotts logo, a rosella, represents Australian civilization. This sculpture symbolizes the Australian shrub and aims to evoke memories and nostalgic feelings for viewers. The artwork has a natural tone with shades of brown and green on the weathered wood, creating an antique effect. Gascoigne used various materials such as cardboard, scrap lumber, inks, and metals, each with their own significance and history that adds meaning to the piece. The artwork embodies both urban and rural aspects of Australian life, influenced by Gascoigne's love for the country's landscape.The artist utilizes found objects to convey her message, creating a non-mainstream work that appears to be simple stacked boxes to the untrained eye. However, to fellow creative individuals and art enthusiasts, the piece is seen as beautiful and powerful, with strong symbolism. It challenges traditional art norms and defies typical classifications of art. Earth 1, depicted in four frames, evokes a sense of peace with its warm, serene colors reminiscent of the Australian

outback. The graphics are simple but impactful, with distinct black lines dividing each color. The colors used are natural and earthy, including browns, greens, and blues. The texture of the forms reflects the aged materials used, showing marks and dents. These materials, such as wood, metal, and plastic, carry symbolic value due to their history. The artist intentionally chose them for the narratives they tell and their association with Australian culture, showcasing aspects of the country's lifestyle and environment.The text describes a show in Outback Australia that showcases the simplicity and beauty of the region. The artwork incorporates rustic elements and is unconventional in its use of weathered materials. Despite its lack of original composition, the combination of materials and Gascoigne's pattern adds uniqueness to the work. The piece reflects Australian culture, depicting the laidback lifestyle and natural aspects of the country.

Andy Goldsworthy, a land artist born in England in 1956, is mentioned next. He studied at Bradford College of Art and Preston Polytechnic and developed his love for the land while working on farms. Goldsworthy's artistic practice revolves around nature as his canvas, using transient and ephemeral materials. His sculptures explore creation, destruction, and reclamation. Goldsworthy embraces the cyclical process of devastation and constructs his works with found objects that are natural and site-specific. The materials used are temporary, and chance plays a role in the construction and destruction process.The materials used by Goldsworthy in his work are compatible and pose no threat to the environment where it is set. Simple construction methods, such as using irritants to bind objects or sewing with vines, are employed. These materials are carefully chosen so that

they will naturally break down over time. Prior to starting his work, Goldsworthy closely studies the area, observing patterns in the weather, light, wind, water, etc. He then selects the appropriate timing to begin his work. Before creating his sculptures, he sketches them and collects materials from the same area where the artwork will be constructed. Goldsworthy documents each step of the process, from the initial stages of creation to the final product, and also captures its destruction by nature. He uses high-quality photographs and film to document this process. In some cases, his work is not contained within nature but is installed in a gallery for public viewing. By photographing his artwork, Goldsworthy creates an indirect connection with the audience. However, in remote locations, photography is the only proof of his creations. The ice sculpture consisted of four frames and left a beautiful first impression.I was astounded by someone's ability to create something like that. It must have required a great deal of patience and resilience. The sculpture truly mesmerizes viewers, leaving them breathless. It is a profoundly evocative piece, reminiscent of a serpent or a flowing river. It perfectly captures the twists and turns of a river cascading into the ocean. The sculpture is exceptionally exquisite and inspiring, motivating individuals to explore and create their own land art. It reminds me of a river, as it portrays the movement and energy of water as it surges in and out of rocks.

Goldsworthy's work is part of a contemporary environmental art movement characterized by bold and nature-oriented installations. Most of these installations aim to make statements about both nature and mankind's relationship with it. Remarkably,

this particular artwork is made entirely from ice. Goldsworthy meticulously molds the ice into shape before freezing it together with water. Despite being created in freezing conditions, during the early morning hours, using only his bare hands, Goldsworthy brilliantly crafts a piece with profound symbolic value. It symbolizes a deep concern for the environment, just like many of Goldsworthy's other works. This sculpture was completed between 2000 and 2001, deliberately designed to melt away. Goldsworthy believes that the element responsible for bringing art to life is what ultimately brings about its demise. This piece serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate bond between man and nature, portraying the captivating beauty found in even the simplest things, as exemplified in this case by ice.Goldsworthy's background as a conservationist has influenced him to create this artwork out of nature and place it within nature. He ensures that he does not interfere with or harm the environment in any way. This artwork serves as a prime example of Goldsworthy's concept of the creation, destruction, and reclamation process. It was intentionally made to be destroyed, allowing the elements of nature to return it to its natural form. Through this work, Goldsworthy conveys the idea that mankind should value and appreciate nature more. This artwork challenges mainstream ideas as it is a completely original concept unlike anything created before. The main interpretation of this artwork revolves around the passage of time and the cycle of creation, destruction, and reclamation. One may question why Goldsworthy would create such a beautifully haunting piece only for it to disappear hours later, but upon further consideration, the answer becomes clear. "Red Pool -

The four frames - Red Pool" by Goldsworthy is a provocative piece that initially appears to be a pool of blood. It evokes a chilling and dramatic feeling in the viewer, prompting them to examine the image closely and decipher what lies within the stone, knowing that it is not actually blood. This artwork generates an eerie sensation and serves as a reminder of blood. In my opinion, Goldsworthy's message with this artwork is that nature is slowly dying, represented by the stone appearing as if it is bleeding.It appears that we are causing harm to nature and its destruction should be stopped before it is too late. The artwork created represents this idea, as it is made by adding pigment to water from the sandstone, giving it a vibrant red color. This red water stands out and contrasts with the brown and green colors of the forest behind it. Like Goldsworthy's other works, this piece is specific to its location and does not harm the environment. It was created in 1994/1995 at the Scaur River in Dumfriesshire, where Goldsworthy resides. The purpose of this artwork is to demonstrate that nature is alive. While nature may not actually shed blood like living beings, it is still living. The message of this work is to remind people of this fact and to stop destroying nature before it is too late. The artwork challenges the mainstream view by presenting something bold and unexpected. The dominant interpretation is that nature is valuable and essential for our survival, just like human beings or animals. We must cease the destruction now. These statements are derived from notes taken during a

seminar attended at the National NSW Art Gallery.