'GREEN + BLUE = CYAN

© The Artist

'GREEN + BLUE = CYAN 2001

Anna Barriball (1972 – )

Details

Dimension
DIMENSIONS VARIABLE
Media
TWO ANGLEPOISE LIGHTS, FELT TIP PEN AND PAPER
Accession number
P7452

Summary

In Anna Barriball’s simple object-sculptures and works on paper she uses the act of drawing to define presence. Actual objects are overdrawn or drawing is used to provide the imprint of form, such as the impression of the base of a bucket or of a bouncing ball on paper. In ‘green+blue = cyan’ two lamps are similarly coloured, one blue and one green. They are positioned next to each other so their light beams form two overlapping circles; in the drawing on the wall in front of them the colours in the overlapping circles also overlap to form the third colour. These pared-down compositions, using commonplace objects against a neutral ground, demonstrate an emphasis on geometric order and on the effects of light and shade reminiscent of the genre throughout the modern period.

Still Life, British Council 2000

 

Glossary

  • Drawing

    The depiction of shapes and forms on a flat surface chiefly by means of lines although colour and shading may also be included. Materials most commonly used are pencil, ink, crayon, charcoal, chalk and pastel, although other materials, including paint, can be used in combination.

  • Genre

    In a specialised sense this term refers to the portrayal of everyday life, and refers to painting; more broadly it means the subject types covered by an artist.

    The 17th Century French Academy decreed that there were five main genres an artist should study. These were History, Portrait, Genre, Landscape and Still Life. History was considered the most important as it portrayed Man in his most noblest endeavours and in his relationship with God; Still Life the lowest as it dealt with the moribund and innate.

  • Imprint

    In a bibliographic item, the name of the publisher, distributor, or manufacturer, and the place and date of publication.