Exhibition - Tides

For my exhibition, I wanted to make a piece based on music and how I feel when I listen to it. Since my previous exhibition piece can be seen as having rhythm, this piece was inspired by the idea of water reacting to sound, particularly a speaker or something similar.

The original idea came from my interest in 80s music, especially the colours, atmosphere, and sense of nostalgia it creates. In some ways, the composition also resembles a vortex, which could be interpreted as a portal taking the viewer back in time.

I chose to paint on six separate cardboard canvases to reflect the idea of layers and movement in music. Splitting the work into sections let me explore repetition and rhythm, like visual beats across the piece. It also gave me more freedom to change each part slightly while still keeping it connected overall. I used cardboard because it felt more experimental and suited the way I like to work.

While making this piece, I listened to the album (((((ultraSOUND))))) by The Neighbourhood. The album cover also influenced my idea of water interacting with sound. I wanted the colours and circular movement in the painting to reflect how the music made me feel emotionally. The layered brushstrokes and repeated wave-like forms were inspired by sound vibrations and the feeling of being immersed in music. I named the piece Tides after one of the songs on the album.

While producing this piece, I came across a quote by Vincent van Gogh:

“In a painting I'd like to say something consoling, like a piece of music.”

I relate to this quote, as I also want to create an emotional response through painting using colour, movement, and atmosphere. Music can be very comforting to me, and I try to reflect similar feelings through my work rather than representing music literally.

My brushstroke technique was also influenced by Lee Ufan, whose work I saw at the Tate Modern, as you can visibly see the brush texture and the fading of the paint on the canvas.

To improve this piece, I would spend more time refining the circular shape to keep it more consistent throughout. In the exhibition, some viewers said it reminded them of an eye, as the shape was not perfectly circular, so I would aim to correct this. I would also add more depth by experimenting with darker tones in the centre or making it brighter and gradually darkening the outer areas. Additionally, I would introduce more variation in colour and movement to better reflect the energy of music.