Untitled 23 (Easement)
by Katherine Taylor
Taylor captures a serene yet subtly complex landscape. The blues, grays, and browns that comprise this work also provide the color palette for many of her other landscapes. This muted palette and the roughness of the land evoke both storms and, perhaps, emotions surrounding the disaster. Yet, this is juxtaposed with a sense of calm, as conveyed by the stillness of the water. The balance of the entire scene is disrupted by an upright telephone pole and its reflection in the water, serving as the sole evidence of human interaction with the open landscape. In her series "Easements," Taylor specifically focuses on the theme of human intrusion into the natural landscape, further exploring the tension between urban and natural environments.
Artwork Details
Title: Untitled 23 (Easement)
Artist: Katherine Taylor
Date: 2011
Medium: Oil on linen
Dimensions: 6 x 4 in.
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Artist Overview
Katherine Taylor, born in Biloxi, Mississippi, draws profound influence from the natural disasters characteristic of her hometown for her thematic exploration. In a gallery talk given at Agnes Scott in the spring of 2014, during Taylor's year of residence as the Kirk Visiting Artist, she explained that her creative process is predominantly image-based, evolving before the actual execution of her paintings. Her landscapes, she mentioned, are always changing and therefore, to her, always indicative of disaster. Thus, disaster is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that may be beautiful, even when destructive. Taylor's landscapes are not merely depictions of physical places but contribute to the overall mood and narrative of the work. The subtle yet poignant use of reflection, shadow, and light plays a crucial role in conveying the dynamism of nature within seemingly tranquil scenes.
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