The mantra of slow


	Art
		The mantra of slow Smithers

by Chris Steenhof When Smithers artist Mark Tworow attended art school 13 years ago, he was given the clear message that painting was a dead art form. Pursue other mediums such as video and installation art, his professors instructed, because these genres were more relevant and powerful in our technically proficient culture. Painting had become stagnant, they said, not able to affect social or political change. Instead, this warning inspired him to continue with his passion for still life oil painting. For Tworow, still life allows him to explore the concepts of simplicity and contemplation, ideas he believes are often neglected in today’s culture.
"People need slow, meditative art in our society because we are over-stimulated. It follows the mantra of simplification." Tworow explains that he uses combinations of simple objects in his still life paintings to achieve this effect. Tworow’s first art show, Bottles and Bricks, is showing at the Smithers Art Gallery until September 28.
Most of the 24 paintings were completed over the last two years. In his work, Tworow takes humble objects such as cups, books, and flowers, and paints them in a way that emphasizes contrast and tone. Many of the paintings also explore the concept of abstraction in a subtle but complex manner. Much of Tworow’s inspiration comes from the Italian artist Giorgio Morandi who painted still life art in the early 20th Century. "He takes simple objects - sometimes not even identifiable - arranges them carefully, and paints them elegantly," says Tworow. "These paintings hold tremendous appeal to me because their simplicity provides a remedy against a chaotic and technological world. Morandi’s work forces us to slow down in order to fully appreciate them." Tworow is also drawn to the beauty of Morandi’s work, noting that although the concept of beauty is problematic for some, it is an objective he strives for in his art. The infinite variety and potential of Morandi’s work also inspire Tworow, allowing him to draw ideas from the different possibilities of shading, perspective, and lighting. Many of Tworow’s paintings illustrate this reality. Coffee and Coffee II are the same combination of objects but from slightly different perspectives. It is only upon a close study that the parallels and distinctions between the two paintings become clear. Still life art also fits well with Tworow’s life circumstances. He is currently not a full-time artist, painting mainly two afternoons a week. He and his wife Regina are the parents of two young boys and he must balance his work with the demands of a busy family life. Still life painting allows him to be flexible in his approach, often working on a painting over a long period of time. As for the future, Tworow will continue to experiment in the genre of still life oil painting. The paintings in this exhibit attest to the subtle beauty and elegance of an art form that is very much alive. (Chris Steenhof is a Smithers teacher and writer.)
Back to Fall 02			Home