John Torreano

 2 Splits with Jonquil Gems

is from a series of half-round wood column supports I have been using since the early 70's.

I have been fascinated with Outer Space since the beginning of my life. Concepts like the Big Bang, motivated my use of non-traditional materials and methods. Faux gems were like stars, and bulging canvases were the equivalent of an expanding universe.  

To make my paintings bulge out toward the viewer, I made stretchers from large 4 x 4" quarter-round moldings. The column shape happened when I pictured 2 of those quarter round shapes coming together to form a full half-round. Voila!  The column, a new shape for painting.

It is not necessary to stand in front of the column, as one does with a traditional painting, because the column presents a 180-degree access to the surface. Every position in the room offers equal value. However, as viewers move, reflections from the gems present sparks of light specific to each person's location.

The paradox: the democracy of perceptual access presented by the columns' shape contrasts with an in-the-moment reminder to each viewer of their unique place in that room.  Each person is experiencing a particular set of reflections. This reinforces their individuality: physically as a body, mentally as a thinker and spiritually as someone that feels.