Secret Gardens by Christian Kozaki
June 2-14
Reception: Friday June 9, 7-9 PM, all welcome
Little Gorgeous Things launches its 2006 exhibition schedule with "Secret Gardens," a collection of original monotype paintings by artist Christian Kozaki. Inspired by the plethora of flora and fauna served up by Provincetown and Mother Nature, this collection of paintings represents Kozaki’s interpretation of the color, beauty, light, and essence of Spring, and Provincetown’s seasonal rejuvenation.
Christian Kozaki
Christian holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from F.I.T. (The Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York where he also attended the Arts Students League, concentrating on anatomy and life drawing. After graduating, he moved to France for seven years, where he designed and illustrated for several fashion houses including Givenchy, Madame Gres, and Chloe. Returning to New York, he designed under his own label and continued to illustrate professionally. His work has appeared in several publications including Time Magazine. Christian teaches art and design at both Bay State College in Boston, Massachusetts and RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) in Providence, Rhode Island.
Since moving to Provincetown, Christian’s work has been in solo, group, and juried shows throughout New England including The Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), Provincetown Public Library, Mumford Gallery, Lyman Eyer Gallery, Schoolhouse Gallery, Sheldon Fine Arts, The Space at Alice, and in auctions for the Human Rights Campaign.
The Monotype Process
The monotype process is very often mistaken for a form of multicopied imaging. Monotypes are actually unique one-of-a-kind paintings which go through a two step process towards their completion. To begin, special highly pigmented oil based inks are used and the paintings are done on a flat Plexiglas board. The plexi in essence serves as the canvas. In lieu of brushes, the paint is applied with brayers (rollers) of various widths allowing for great variation in line quality and paint application. The second stage of the process is the transfer of the painted Plexiglas onto a unique heavy paper which passes through a hand-manipulated press under specific pressure. The paper is first prepared by soaking it in a water bath for approximately 20 minutes. This allows the paper’s fibers to "receive" the painting as it is transferred from the original Plexiglas surface.
Artist's Statement
"I find the technique and process of monoprints more time-intensive than painting directly onto canvas. The results are never certain due to a myriad of variables such as the quantity and viscosity of paint, the pressure of the press and blending of colors as the paper and plexi pass under the press’s roller, as well as the moisture content in the paper. It’s not possible to know the final result until the paper is pulled back from the Plexiglas, keeping the process exciting and the artist guessing until the very end."
"The results obtained using the monotype method are quite varied, ranging from the more linear and graphic, to the three dimensional, with the addition of transparent mediums and the interplay of color, rendering a feeling of depth and dimension. The addition of transparent mediums to the paint give "Secret Gardens" an "ethereal other-worldly feeling."
"Provincetown offers a constant, ever changing flow of nature’s sensations. As Spring begins and turns to Summer the collection of colors, shapes, and forms are fascinating. Every street, passage way, and path is filled with some sort of nature’s beauty, be it a planned garden or a patch of wild flowers and plants. It’s a pleasure to the senses just to stroll through Provincetown and appreciate the variation and evolution of nature. Almost a bit like the constant and steady stream of locals and tourists who add color and vibrancy to the town itself. I was inspired to capture that essence while doing this series which includes several triptychs and diptychs."
"The reason behind presenting some of the work in this format was quite simple. I wished to give the viewer the impression of seeing outside the restraints of the canvas. When observing, for example, a floral triptych series, the effect is similar to being outdoors "en plein air." By allowing the observer a panoramic view, the vastness of space surrounding nature is discovered and becomes apparent, giving an impression and appreciation for the energy and atmosphere around the subject."
When asked about his fascination with Provincetown, Kozaki explains that he first discovered the town while on vacation six years ago and fell in love with its small town charm, magical essence, incredible light, and all accepting attitude. "Upon arriving, I was instantly enamored with this town and decided that one day I would make it my home. Three years ago I made it a reality." Since that time, he has concentrated on nature and figurative studies working in several mediums including monotype, oil on canvas, pen and ink, and the Provincetown Whiteline Block Print.
Reception: Friday June 9, 7-9 PM, all welcome
Little Gorgeous Things launches its 2006 exhibition schedule with "Secret Gardens," a collection of original monotype paintings by artist Christian Kozaki. Inspired by the plethora of flora and fauna served up by Provincetown and Mother Nature, this collection of paintings represents Kozaki’s interpretation of the color, beauty, light, and essence of Spring, and Provincetown’s seasonal rejuvenation.
Christian Kozaki
Christian holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from F.I.T. (The Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York where he also attended the Arts Students League, concentrating on anatomy and life drawing. After graduating, he moved to France for seven years, where he designed and illustrated for several fashion houses including Givenchy, Madame Gres, and Chloe. Returning to New York, he designed under his own label and continued to illustrate professionally. His work has appeared in several publications including Time Magazine. Christian teaches art and design at both Bay State College in Boston, Massachusetts and RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) in Providence, Rhode Island.
Since moving to Provincetown, Christian’s work has been in solo, group, and juried shows throughout New England including The Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), Provincetown Public Library, Mumford Gallery, Lyman Eyer Gallery, Schoolhouse Gallery, Sheldon Fine Arts, The Space at Alice, and in auctions for the Human Rights Campaign.
The Monotype Process
The monotype process is very often mistaken for a form of multicopied imaging. Monotypes are actually unique one-of-a-kind paintings which go through a two step process towards their completion. To begin, special highly pigmented oil based inks are used and the paintings are done on a flat Plexiglas board. The plexi in essence serves as the canvas. In lieu of brushes, the paint is applied with brayers (rollers) of various widths allowing for great variation in line quality and paint application. The second stage of the process is the transfer of the painted Plexiglas onto a unique heavy paper which passes through a hand-manipulated press under specific pressure. The paper is first prepared by soaking it in a water bath for approximately 20 minutes. This allows the paper’s fibers to "receive" the painting as it is transferred from the original Plexiglas surface.
Artist's Statement
"I find the technique and process of monoprints more time-intensive than painting directly onto canvas. The results are never certain due to a myriad of variables such as the quantity and viscosity of paint, the pressure of the press and blending of colors as the paper and plexi pass under the press’s roller, as well as the moisture content in the paper. It’s not possible to know the final result until the paper is pulled back from the Plexiglas, keeping the process exciting and the artist guessing until the very end."
"The results obtained using the monotype method are quite varied, ranging from the more linear and graphic, to the three dimensional, with the addition of transparent mediums and the interplay of color, rendering a feeling of depth and dimension. The addition of transparent mediums to the paint give "Secret Gardens" an "ethereal other-worldly feeling."
"Provincetown offers a constant, ever changing flow of nature’s sensations. As Spring begins and turns to Summer the collection of colors, shapes, and forms are fascinating. Every street, passage way, and path is filled with some sort of nature’s beauty, be it a planned garden or a patch of wild flowers and plants. It’s a pleasure to the senses just to stroll through Provincetown and appreciate the variation and evolution of nature. Almost a bit like the constant and steady stream of locals and tourists who add color and vibrancy to the town itself. I was inspired to capture that essence while doing this series which includes several triptychs and diptychs."
"The reason behind presenting some of the work in this format was quite simple. I wished to give the viewer the impression of seeing outside the restraints of the canvas. When observing, for example, a floral triptych series, the effect is similar to being outdoors "en plein air." By allowing the observer a panoramic view, the vastness of space surrounding nature is discovered and becomes apparent, giving an impression and appreciation for the energy and atmosphere around the subject."
When asked about his fascination with Provincetown, Kozaki explains that he first discovered the town while on vacation six years ago and fell in love with its small town charm, magical essence, incredible light, and all accepting attitude. "Upon arriving, I was instantly enamored with this town and decided that one day I would make it my home. Three years ago I made it a reality." Since that time, he has concentrated on nature and figurative studies working in several mediums including monotype, oil on canvas, pen and ink, and the Provincetown Whiteline Block Print.
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