John Babcock, Artist,Papermaking

	J O H N B A B C O C K
home about the artist statement resume discoveries recent work available works selected works from the archive contact links exhibitions and classes site map	artist statement I use paper of my own manufacture to create art works of cast, inlaid and collaged papers. On large flat surfaces my work evolves as I combine different pigmented fibers such as abaca and kozo, considered traditional Eastern fibers, with traditional Western fibers, cotton and flax. To this end, I have developed a style of handmade paper I call free-cast paper. My notions of landscape abstraction, a dreamscape of archetypal images and color relationships, are played out through my fascination with the distinct personalities of different papermaking fibers, especially the way they reflect light. I spend much time in the development of specific color spectrums of pulp that then become my pallet. Through strategic combinations of color and shape, juxtaposing different types of pulp, similarly pigmented, I develop an abstracted feeling of space and dimension. I use these forms to build energy fields that play off one another. Shapes and symbols appearing in my work sometimes will illustrate a notion of history, as a pictograph documents a moment in time. My work, like sculpture, is best viewed from several perspectives. As one observes the piece from different angles, or if the source of light changes on it, one will notice that the work takes on the illusion of having a life of its own and does not remain static in imagery: dark contrasts will at times appear light, images will seem to disappear or appear, depending on the angle of the reflected light. By taking advantage of these inherent qualities of paper, I build pieces that entertain change as well as tell a story. I find that I gravitate to earth forms for inspiration, because, perhaps, much of the colors that I use are earth-derived pigments. I have drawn upon images that come to me when I contemplate the pulsating or vibrating nature of heat waves, ocean waves, wind blown sand dunes, and Japanese rock gardens. I seek to capture the essence of these experiences and document them through the peculiarities of colored paper.
	© 2011 John Babcock	paper

J O H N B A B C O C K

artist statement

I use paper of my own manufacture to create art works of cast, inlaid and collaged papers. On large flat surfaces my work evolves as I combine different pigmented fibers such as abaca and kozo, considered traditional Eastern fibers, with traditional Western fibers, cotton and flax. To this end, I have developed a style of handmade paper I call free-cast paper.

My notions of landscape abstraction, a dreamscape of archetypal images and color relationships, are played out through my fascination with the distinct personalities of different papermaking fibers, especially the way they reflect light. I spend much time in the development of specific color spectrums of pulp that then become my pallet. Through strategic combinations of color and shape, juxtaposing different types of pulp, similarly pigmented, I develop an abstracted feeling of space and dimension. I use these forms to build energy fields that play off one another. Shapes and symbols appearing in my work sometimes will illustrate a notion of history, as a pictograph documents a moment in time. My work, like sculpture, is best viewed from several perspectives. As one observes the piece from different angles, or if the source of light changes on it, one will notice that the work takes on the illusion of having a life of its own and does not remain static in imagery: dark contrasts will at times appear light, images will seem to disappear or appear, depending on the angle of the reflected light. By taking advantage of these inherent qualities of paper, I build pieces that entertain change as well as tell a story.

I find that I gravitate to earth forms for inspiration, because, perhaps, much of the colors that I use are earth-derived pigments. I have drawn upon images that come to me when I contemplate the pulsating or vibrating nature of heat waves, ocean waves, wind blown sand dunes, and Japanese rock gardens. I seek to capture the essence of these experiences and document them through the peculiarities of colored paper.

paper