Catching the Negative Impact of the Mark

The Broken Tile that Changed My Life

Recently I slammed down my 8lbs sledgehammer toward a canvas, end loaded with paint as I usually do when starting new work.  This time I forgot what I had stored underneath and ended up breaking a large granite tile (perfectly).

Hot Pink Piece of Concrete

The shape of the  break astonished me, it was so beautiful; almost divine.  I became fascinated by it's strange resemblance to my sledgehammer mark until I instinctively grabbed a can of latex paint and poured it over the broken granite tile covering it completely to capture the event forever... literally freezing the moment in time so I could get a better look.  I left the piece undisturbed in the corner of my studio for weeks in the stillness of a far corner until I retrieved it one day and found it had dried to a mirror like finish (above left).

Broken Brick Leaking Pigment

I couldn't put my finger on it.  This event ended up changing my perspective on the type of force needed to obtain what I create, there is a whole side to the story of what makes the paint dance that is being lost here, between the transfer of force into the surface supporting the canvas there is an even more beautiful "echo" like mark created, this is what I have been missing, it was the pause between piano notes.  The story from the reverse perspective had to be told and  I was dreaming of more and more possibilities... my mentor was correct; the paint mark I created in the beginning with my sledgehammer was just a beginning of my journey.

 The granite tile was like a type of film recording the "negative" image/impact of my painting; similar to traditional photography, it tells a story I had never knew was happening.  My experimental side project soon became the main focus of my work and ushered in the birth of a new series.

Slam Painted Piece of Cinder Block

I have achieved a perception of permanence using latex house paint, this creates a perfect arena to explore the forcefulness of the sledgehammer and continue on my journey.

The "negative mark" created by my sledgehammer is a discovery that has turned my perspective around and just recently sparked the series I call:

Broken in Different Ways

I am so excited to share my new ideas with you, I hope you enjoy!
Chris Crewe | 2019