Like most artists, the most difficult thing to do is to write about yourself and your creative process, especially when your work has such an incomprehensible definition such as Abstract Art. Well, my dear friends, join me for this beautiful ride because it’s a short ride and hopefully in the end you will start understanding and enjoying abstraction in many different forms not only in Art but in so many different ways because we are surrounded by abstraction in every moment of our daily lives.
Let's start with the definition of Abstract art as it's defined in the dictionary:
Abstract Art seeks to break away from traditional representation of physical objects. It explores the relationships of forms and colors, whereas more traditional art represents the world in recognizable images.
Well maybe that's why Abstract Art can be, at times, difficult to understand. It separates itself from recognizable images and at the same time we all see it differently. What I might see or what it might represent to me, may not be what you see or what it will represent to you. Even I, and most of my esteemed colleagues, have that same problem. From the initial moment or thought of creating a particular piece - to the very moment it's finished - to the time it hangs in a gallery, we all see the art piece differently from the one the artist set out to create.
Now, let's talk the about creative process. All human beings have a creative imagination. Most artists have a process and form in how we come to create a piece. I, personally, have the tendency to find my inspiration in everyday life, in conversation, listening to music, reading, and observation walks. I'm always thinking about art, even when I sleep.
At times, I will draw an idea if it’s geometric (as pictured throughout this post), or write a caption of a color combination, or a title that might generate a piece such as "Geometric Energy," a piece that is currently on display at the November 2020 exhibition at Gallery 120.
Even though I started painting much later in life, I recall that at a very young age, while I was living on the Azorean Island of Terceira in Portugal, all my drawings had vibrant colors, geometric shapes, and texture. To this day, I find a way to incorporate those elements into my work.
Here I include some of my studies. Most of the time they go into a file and come to life much later as finished works.
Till the next time,
Medina da Silva
To learn more about Medina "Joseph" da Silva, view his biography on our website.
To view more work by Joseph da Silva, visit our online virtual exhibit.