Counterplay.

Artist’s Books and Encaustics by Laura Wait

June 5-27, 2009
Plinth Gallery,       3520 Brighton Blvd.  Denver, CO

Artist’s Statement

I am currently obsessed with word shapes, wall writing and chess imagery.  Words as image are a central part of my new series of   painted books and encaustics inspired by words of chess and war.

Checkerboards have appeared in my art for about 20 years, so I decided to pursue this powerful image with an investigation into the game of chess. Thus began series of encaustics using words and drawings of chessmen. These were followed by several wall books, acrylic paintings , and most recently these new “ war books” and “chess books”. The words have become more important than the actual board.

In both the books and the paintings I begin with writing on paper often using very large 4-6 inch brushes. These are attached to panels or other paper to make pages.  Many layers may be necessary to complete each piece. Writing acts as image, as well as content.

The ink is  often left as layers with the dragging patterns that develop over the rough texture of the paper.  Various layers of writing with brushes, calligraphy pens are added as texture using words of chess, like the names of the pieces, game terms and general words of war, like crusade, pawn chains, caliph. These paintings are meant to contain the energy of life and war, or possibly broken communiqués used in a war. They are also inspired by Japanese calligraphy and the idea that art is not perfect.

The encaustic paintings start with layers of ink calligraphy on Japanese Chiri or Kozo paper infused with encaustic medium and attached to wood panels. Thin layers of encaustic paint cover these papers, sometimes transparent, sometimes obscuring.

Inscribed writing lines rubbed with oil stick add dimension and detail to these paintings.  Chessmen, both imagined and based on traditional pieces are drawn in rows like they are ready to participate in a game. They are deliberately obscured to create the feeling of historical surfaces one might find on an ancient wall layered over a period of centuries.

The physical presence of paint is essential to my art, focusing on encaustic acrylic, and inks each affording different qualities and possibilities.

I use encaustic to create dense ancient fresco like surfaces with layers of ink writing on Japanese paper saturated with color, scraped to reveal an inner texture, or scratched with lines to make new imaginary figures or handwriting. Transparency of layers and writing through thick paint are important elements in creating  all of the rich surfaces I imagine.

”Imminent Struggle”. 15” x 7 ¾” x 7/8”

Mixed Media Book.

Left: “Imminent Struggle” Right: “Warmongering”.

Both 15” x 7 ¾” x 7/8” closed.  Mixed Media Books.

”Chessmen”. 36” x 7””. Encaustic on paper

Hangs on rails.

”Battery”. 20” x 20”. Encaustic on Panel.