(Image credit: Victoria Stein)
"My work is a reflection of the emotional psychological state of my soul and it's journey through life. It is a documentation of an accumulation of experiences, emotions and self discoveries. I want to understand the essence of the things I've learned along the way. I paint to express what I've learned so far.
These works represent my journey through life and the trials and errors that bring me closer to Redemption, Faith, Love and God. I make my art because I feel like there's something I want to express. It’s an unfolding story about the people I’ve interfaced with in my life. These people have influenced me in radical ways. My paintings are essentially portraits of the essence of everyone that has molded, changed, helped, harmed or in some profound way affected my life.
My paintings are made with professional quality oil paint on stretched canvas. The oil paint is applied in a thick impasto of layers, the buildup represents the emotional state of my soul being transformed by the manipulation of the paint as I continually make revisions. The paint builds layers that sculpts and creates varieties of texture. I manipulate the paint to express my sentiment at that particular time. I desire to use thick textures of paint because it captures the intangible and uncommunicative part of my essence and the colors and textures produced satisfy my need to contain that emotion.
The use of traditional materials and methods in my work is inspired by my connection to antiquity emerging from my eastern orthodox roots. Drawing is also significant in informing my painting. Charcoal, one of the oldest materials used to create drawings, is one of my favorite mediums because of its ability to create fine lines, shadows, and texture. The combination of these applications in my drawings allow me to draw expressively and influence the form and structure of my paintings. The heavy lines, shapes, smudges, and intricate details show the movement of the hand and the processes of creation; these subtleties and textures show they are diverse humans and these beings represent the essence and state of humanity. I enjoy exploring various mediums when creating work in search of endless possibilities for expression. The varity of mediums helps me to tell a story about the human condition in a highly symbolic charged attitude. I feel that there is a limitless potential when I combine the use of traditional materials with non-traditional approaches.
The focus of my work is primarily on defining and refining my depiction of characters reflectling the good and bad, the happy and sad people in my life. In my paintings and drawings these characters search for meaning, direction in life and God. They express a community of people that are together facing their humanity. I work to portray the shape of their souls through my use of obscure shapes, the condition of their hearts are represented by distinguishable characteristics in their demeanor, and the state of their minds is exemplified by the manipulation of the paint. Their expressive facial features are emphasized and they inhabit a mysterious, ambiguous environment.
The heavy, disconsolate look they evoke comes from their sorrows, their burdens, and their afflictions. The ambiguous shapes over the characters are inspired by the emotional and psychological shape of my soul and its journey. Revealing the faces of actual individuals in my life would call attention to the physical person in my world and would deter from the presence and disposition of the character in its environment, so I create personalized costumes, to disguise my characters from themselves. The costumes and masks distinguish the different roles they play in my life. They are all here for distinct purposes. Revealing their hair color, height or physical place in the world is trivial in relation to who or what they really are. What builds their character, determination, humor, or discontent.
The ambiguous background is a timeless atmosphere, devoid of indicators that would locate a “today” or “tomorrow.” It is ever changing and does not solidify a particular moment or place but rather focuses on the core expression of the spirit. Their environment is a distraction from what is important, where they’re going and who they’re becoming. I feel like these people are all on this journey searching for peace and salvation. They’re searching for God. There are many details in these works which are symbolic drawn from my from subconscious. The cross is an important symbol that I use in my work as it is a representation of the crosses each of us carries in life. I believe that life is a risk either path you choose but if one follows their heart they will find true fulfillment. Helen Frankenthaler once said “ If you have a gift it is your halo and your cross” I do not know if I have a gift but I am so much in love with paint. As I create each painting, I begin to feel which symbol needs to be in it intuitively."
Anna Girgis
Copyright 2009 Anna Girgis
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