Monuments by Stephen Kaldor
I have encountered the subject of this work on a recent trip to Central Australia, in the bush near Alice Springs. The massive boulder and the abandoned rusty car – wreck appealed to me on several levels. On the purely technical point of view: I love to paint textures, landscapes of the bush and the play of light and shadows. But the juxtaposition of the ancient weather beaten rock and the ephemeral ruin of the major symbol of our civilization,(such as it is), made me reflect on lots of things: time, eternity, past and present and even the future. Tempus fugit…
http://www.stephenkaldor.com
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Title of work Monuments
Size of work ( either cm or inches) 60 X 50 cm
Style: Realism
Technique, Medium & material used Oil on vanvas
Date work was completed (only submit work of the current year) 9/2013
Indeed, “Time Flies” and the juxtaposition of the auto and the rock are indicative of our fleeting presence in the natural world. The colors you chose for the auto and rock reflect our intrusion and impact on nature with industrialization. The detail and linear aspects in the rock release the viewers imagination moving within and beyond the aspect of reality depicted in the pleasing surround of the subject of the theme and putting the subject in a shaded realm adds to the feeling of times gone by. Well done.
You make a strong statement for the temporary state of the human condition! I really like the colors of the background and trees which feel very warm and dry. By contrast the boulder feels alive with curves and rich earthy browns. And still more contrast is the old auto painted in a very “plastic” blue color. This composition is very strong with good balance, rhythm and highly contrasting tones. Well done.
Great painting which shows technical accomplishment. Interesting juxtaposition which provokes more curiosity. I love the sense of mystery and isolation depicted in the painting. You’ve captured the essence of light which is what the Australian outback is about. A well executed painting.