Indigo at Adjacent To Life

Tinsquo's curatorial project, Adjacent To Life, presents Indigo by Sandy Van Iderstine.

Van Iderstine states:

After studying art history, my career as a senior fashion executive traveling throughout the world visiting art galleries, museums and art fairs, conversing with artists, curators, writers and gallerists has enriched my passion for art. More recently I have been involved with the Modern.Toronto, a contemporary private art museum, and I assisted my partner Ben Woolfitt with the execution of his exhibition and catalogue Rhythms and Series at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Being immersed in the art world and having the opportunity to see many outstanding works of art, with exposure to the distinctive techniques of historical work by great artists like Van Gogh, Cezanne and Turner and 20th century painters such as Matisse, Avery and Frankenthaler inspired me to experiment with paint to express myself creatively.

For this new exhibition titled Indigo, I utilized the colour Payne’s Grey (Indigo) with washes and collaging. I enjoy working with this dramatic colour as it produces rich shadows with subtle blue undertones which emerge when diluted with mediums, gels and water. The collaged pieces are acrylic skins from the palette which provide textural contrast when applied to the canvas. Together they produce a mysterious and layered surface.

My paintings are done flat so that I can view the piece from above. I continue adding layers by pouring or spreading the paint and if the work seems tentative or disjointed, I make drastic changes to strengthen the piece. I use a palette knife to manipulate the paint to balance the density, space, texture and colour until it is cohesive image.

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Indigo is on view through May 31, 2024 at the Adjacent To Life gallery housed in Ninth Street Espresso (341 E. 10th Street at Ave B, New York City). Opening reception: Saturday, May 4, 7:00 - 9:00.