I have been a practising artist for over 2 decades, exploring and developing various relationships between time, space, light and mind. I also have a background in science, and often incorporate aspects of this into my work.
I am currently working mainly, but not exclusively in the medium of long exposure photography, moving various light sources in front of the camera lens.
The light painting images are never
digitally manipulated. Rarely, tones or contrast are modified during RAW conversion, but the
images produced are 'straight out of camera' (SOOC). Thus the vast majority appear as they would if
shot on photographic film, but with the instant results of digital photography
conferring the benefits of being able to apply a fast recursive process of
reviewing, amending and repeating until the desired effect is achieved. Often,
this process informs the final form, as it allows incorporation of unexpected
elements into the piece being created.
Many of my light painted images contain abstract motifs. often comprised
of the simple elements from which the human brain constructs complex images,
such as circles, dots, spirals and zig-zags. These motifs are influenced by my
study of prehistoric rock art and neuroscience, making reference to the
relationship between consciousness and time, which seems appropriate given the
methods employed.
Sometimes the background is but the lightforms don't exist
in a way perceived with the naked eye, but are present to the 'eye' of the
camera, sometimes they float in a non-existent phase-space, like a retinal
afterimage.
The lightforms could be classified as ephemeral sculpture,
as they are often 3D but exist only fleetingly, for as long as it takes to move
the lightsource through space. They could also be classed as performance art,
sometimes carefully rehearsed, almost choreographed, at other times spontaneous
and expressionistic. Yet they are still paintings or drawings, and 'quality of
line' is very important in the execution of a piece. One term that has been
used to describe the process is 'Light Art Performance Photography', which is
reasonably accurate, serving to differentiate between the more considered
pieces, and the more spontaneous 'light graffiti'.
I also employ the technique known as 'refractography', by
which light is manipulated in space and recorded on a camera without use of a
lens. These forms have a much more organic, exploratory feel, using the camera
to uncover things hidden from ordinary perception.
11/07/2013
Comissioned bespoke lightpainting images for the OCG website.
02/04/2012
Wheelchair Light painting workshops with the Mighty Alan Martin. Making creative expression accessible.
02/04/2012
A week of many light painting workshops with the participants of The factory at the Tyneside Cinema. Lights were waved, chairs were spun and much fun was had by all.
18/08/2012
Instalation in the alleyway next to the cinema during residency at The Factory, Tyneside Cinema.
09/10/2013
Liminal Space re-installed in the Stephenson Works for a weekend showcasing the works of various artists and groups sponsored by NE Gen.
23/09/2012
Workshop at Brathay Hall in Cumbria as part of a post-project evaluation weekend for collective showcase groups.
23/09/2012
Commision to produce lightpainting and long epxposure imagery for www.michaelgrubbstudios.com
Further examples of Light Painting
A small sample of my own works from the past few years
Global collective of light painters