Meet IAVA member Keith Rutherford. We asked Keith a few questions about his art practice.
What was your earliest memory of an interaction with Art?
One of my earliest interactions with art goes way way back. I guess I would have been seven or eight in a school classroom, don’t even remember the teacher, and we were doing a painting of cracker night. My painting showed my father kneeling over to light the bonfire. I remember clearly stuffing up Dad’s feet. Instead of them being neatly tucked under Dad’s legs they were pointing skywards.
Despite this my teacher obviously thought it was still good enough to single out and display to the rest of the students. I already knew, like all kids, I loved to paint and draw but this experience was like a revelation to me in that it set me apart from others. It gave me a sense of valued status.
How would you describe your art practice? (Media; influences, approach?)
I am an abstract Expressionist painting and drawing, for the most part, the landscape. My Art is open format and a balance of line, mass and tone in a painterly and spontaneous way.
I use oil paint and, although the landscape keys my art, there is no horizon or vanishing points and therefore no perspective in my work. The latest series is an aerial view of a very small part of the beach across from where I live.
Spontaneity and freshness influences my art direction. My mark making becomes the subject of the painting.
Do you have a favourite artist/s or artwork? What is it that makes it/them your favourite?
It’s difficult for me to single out one art work. The Art I am most drawn to shows an overall image that displays briefness and spontaneity. Such works that allow the paint to be the hero. I am also drawn to art that is experimental in nature.
Most recent adventure or achievement?
Recently with my current series I have been using recycled materials. In this body of work I use oils on canvas, recycled shower curtain, ribbed cotton or plastic wicker. In some of the work I use sand with the oil paint. So far so good. I am pleased with the results and this new adventure and experimental venture.
Any current goals you’re working towards?
I am looking forward to the end of, or solution for Covid 19 so we can get out of our garrets and work with other like-minded artists and discover new art.
Keith with his art.