Half sheet (38 x 57cm) watercolour painting, with gold leaf and bismuth crystals, on SaundersWaterford 300gsm rough press paper, 2021
Bismuth drops were handmade by Richard Egli @richardegliart in Zurich, Switzerland
Kintsugi Kimono with Bismuth x6
I have gained great solace and perspective from the Kintsugi's symbolism. However, painting vases can be quite challenging. I am still loving the patience needed to create 3D objects.
This painting is a representation of Kintsugi Kimono Sculptures (by Karen LaMonte, New York) I found the fluid lines of the tunic, liquid and complimentryto the pigment and water. This moody blue watercolour was a delight to paint. The gold leaf gilding and 4 bismuth crystal tears (by Richard Egli, Zurich) repair the cracks in the ancient message. The strokes are breathy and unrefined. The lines of the sculpture bleed and swish with the reflection of the metals.
Kintsugi is the general concept of highlighting or emphasizing imperfections, visualizing mends and seams as an additive or an area to celebrate or focus on, rather than absence or missing pieces. Modern artists experiment with the ancient technique as a means of analyzing the idea of loss, synthesis, and improvement through destruction and repair or rebirth.