Artist Statement: 'Port Elizabeth from the Freeway'

(A)

(B)

 

A).  'Port Elizabeth from the freeway' charcoal drawing on Fabriano, 75cm x 138cm

B).  'Port Elizabeth from the freeway' charcoal drawing on Fabriano, 75cm x 138cm

I’ve been exposed to the urban city landscape continuously, so the attraction and inspiration has always been there. There’s something about the freeway that transcends their everyday, functional use.

The drawings in charcoal on Fabriano represent our urban city landscape in a state of continuous movement and change, and depict fleeting impressions of Port Elizabeth, as seen from the freeway.
My working process begins with the photograph.  It is used as a source of reference for the larger scale image translated in charcoal onto Fabriano paper.  As a medium, charcoal affords me complete freedom of expression.

Charcoal pigment is carefully applied by hand covering the entire paper surface.  A charcoal pencil is used to create definition and a cloth and eraser are used to achieve various required highlights.  Blurring and motion effects are created by running a hand across the completed image.

The essential aim of these drawings is to convey a sense of speed and movement as well as depict a transient moment captured in time.  The drawings represent fleeting impressions of Port Elizabeth, as seen from the freeway.