This 45×45 cm mixed-media painting is a piece from my 'Urban Glyphs' series. Its diifferent to the previous canvases as its a layered 3D construction on heavyweight archival card. Set within a deep shadow box frame, the piece transcends the flatness of traditional painting by incorporating sculptural elements—cut-out geometric forms, especially circular discs, which are raised above the main surface. These elements cast real shadows, altering the viewer’s perception as they move around the piece. I also used some techniques related to my post on chance aesthetics, using randomly placed stencils and masking tape on the lower layers which then inform the later levels up to 7 in total.
At the core of the composition is a bold interplay between structured geometry and gestural abstraction. Two prominent layered circular forms emerge from the painted surface, their edges rough and hand-cut, giving a tactile, constructed feel. These 3D components are integrated with the underlying painted imagery, which features vivid fields of turquoise, orange, magenta, and teal, all overlaid with sharp black lines and white rectangular “glyph” shapes. The relief-like effect of the protruding forms invites closer inspection, transforming the artwork from image to object.
My technique involves building the work in stages: paint is applied, scratched, overlaid, and then physically added to with layers of card and board. Im hoping to give the painting a sense of accumulated history—much like an urban wall layered with graffiti, signage, and weathered textures. The 3D forms don’t sit independently; they’re painted and blended with the background, creating some visual cohesion while still standing out due to their dimensionality.
The shadow box presentation is key to the piece’s impact. It both protects and amplifies the layered elements, framing the painting like a collected relic or an artifact. This elevates the work from a purely visual experience to a spatial one, where the interplay of light and shadow across the constructed surfaces becomes part of the composition. Included in the slide show above are 5 other canvases from the series.
My insirations for this piece are:
©️Graeme Webb Please conact me for more deatails and prices
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