Johanna Baudou
website: www.johannabaudou.org
Artist's statement
My new paintings follow an intense period of research, exploring the processes and subject matter of contemporary painting through a concept led practice that combines traditional techniques with a variety of contemporary and historic materials.
Since starting at The Slade, I have introduced to my work a larger spectrum of experimentation with materials. I have not only used oil paint, but expanded my practice by using ink, acrylic, gouache, charcoal, watercolours and ceramics.
My new work explores the notions of time and space, plunging the viewer in metaphysical windows overlooking horizons. The emphasis is on contrasts, searching how few elements can say many things, and how depth, pattern and surface can offer different readings of space - between stillness and movement, lightness and opacity, the here and the elsewhere.
I have been playing with elements of abstract minimalist - the grid, the restricted palette and the geometrical form, to alternative ends, emphasising the gestural mark, the edge and surface looking for a spiritual depth that is found in the simplicity of its expression.