Line, layer, and form
by Phoebe Rush Toland
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts
Montana State University
© Copyright by Phoebe Rush Toland (1983)
Abstract:
I see my work as direct expressions of my feelings rather than as preconceived illustrations based on
themes. I have progressed from working in a predetermined, fixed way, toward a more spontaneous
and intuitive approach. Although my work begins with specific ideas, the paintings evolve as each
phase suggests the next. Part of that, evolutionary process involves painting over areas in an effort to
strengthen and support the whole. In the same way, the collaged fabric in my work is either exposed to
make use of existing pattern or covered. By working with actual and illusionistic layers, pictorial
activity and complexity result. Through layering a kind of depth occurs which is intended to suggest
endless space. A duality between rounded organic shapes and hard-edged structural forms takes place
as the images are layered.
While there is a physical contrast between the wall pieces and the double-sided painting, it is my intent
that they all suggest moods rather than depict specific scenes. Due to its structural division the
free-standing painting allows for sharply contrasting moods. The imagery of both sides makes use of
the screenlike construction, which serves to create a sense of movement. This piece redefines the
gallery space and promotes physical interaction with the viewer. The theater work I have done here
provided the motivation for making a piece that would integrate my work with human action. The
painting functions as a backdrop, while the viewer acts as a player. In these works, it is my hope that
the viewer can react on an emotional level to the color, which is both muted and vibrant, the
momentum of the gesture and the forms and images. LINE, LAYER, AND FORM
by
Phoebe Rush Poland
A t h e s i s su b m itte d i n p a r t i a l f u l f i l l m e n t
• o f th e re q u ire m e n ts f o r th e degree
of
M aster o f F in e A rts
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bozeman, Montana
June 1983
T S I lLH
Cop. £
APPROVAL
o f a t h e s i s su b m itte d by
Phoebe Rush Toland
T his t h e s i s has been re a d by each member o f th e t h e s i s com m ittee
and h as been found to be s a t i s f a c t o r y re g a rd in g c o n te n t, E n g lish
u s a g e , fo rm a t, c i t a t i o n s , b ib lio g r a p h ic s t y l e , and c o n s is te n c y , and
i s read y f o r su b m ission to th e College__pf G radyat^ S tu d ie s .
MW-f 2 6
- ^ 3
Date
Approved f o r th e Maj o r Den artm en
MN
Date
t u - 83
V
^ H e ao ^ M ajor Depabtm ^nt^
Approved f o r th e C o lleg e o f G raduate S tu d ie s
Date
Graduate Dean
iii
' STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO USE
In p r e s e n tin g t h i s t h e s i s i n p a r t i a l f u l f i l l m e n t o f th e
re q u ire m e n ts f o r a m a s te r’s d egree a t Montana S ta te U n iv e r s ity , I
a g ree t h a t th e L ib ra ry s h a l l make i t a v a ila b le to b o rro w ers under
r u le s o f th e L ib ra r y .
B r ie f q u o ta tio n s from t h i s t h e s i s a re a llo w ­
a b le w ith o u t s p e c ia l p e rm is s io n , p ro v id e d t h a t a c c u ra te acknowledgment
o f so u rce i s made.
P e rm issio n f o r e x te n s iv e q u o ta tio n from o r re p ro d u c tio n o f t h i s
t h e s i s may be g ra n te d by my m ajo r p r o f e s s o r , o r in h i s a b se n c e , by th e
D ir e c to r o f L ib r a r ie s when, i n th e o p in io n o f e i t h e r , th e pro p o sed
use o f th e m a te r ia l i s f o r s c h o la r ly p u rp o s e s.
Any copying o r use o f
th e m a te r ia l in t h i s t h e s i s f o r f i n a n c i a l g a in s h a l l n o t be allow ed
w ith o u t my w r i t t e n p e rm is sio n .
I
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I
I
see my work a s d i r e c t e x p re s s io n s o f my f e e lin g s r a t h e r th a n as
p re c o n c e iv e d i l l u s t r a t i o n s b ased on them es.
I have p ro g re s s e d from
w orking in a p re d e te rm in e d , fix e d way, tow ard a more spontaneous and
M'"
#
s i
i n t u i t i v e ap p ro ach .
th e p a in tin g s ev o lv e a s each p h ase s u g g e s ts th e n e x t.
e v o lu tio n a ry
■I
&
#
A lthough my work b e g in s w ith s p e c i f i c id e a s ,
P a rt o f th a t .
p ro c e s s in v o lv e s p a in tin g o v er a re a s in an e f f o r t to
s tre n g th e n and su p p o rt th e w hole.
In th e same way, th e c o lla g e d
f a b r i c i n my work i s e i t h e r exposed to make use o f e x i s t i n g p a t t e r n
o r c o v ered .
By w orking w ith a c tu a l and i l l u s i o n i s t i c l a y e r s , p i c t o r i a l
a c t i v i t y and co m p lex ity r e s u l t .
Through la y e r in g a k in d o f d ep th
o c c u rs which i s in te n d e d to su g g e st e n d le s s sp a c e .
A d u a l i t y betw een
rounded o rg a n ic shapes and h ard -ed g ed s t r u c t u r a l forms ta k e s p la c e
S
II
Af
%
as th e images a re la y e r e d .
W hile th e r e i s a p h y s ic a l c o n tr a s t betw een th e w a ll p ie c e s and th e
d o u b le -s id e d p a i n t i n g , i t i s my i n t e n t t h a t th e y a l l s u g g e s t moods
r a t h e r th a n d e p ic t' s p e c i f i c s c e n e s.
Due t o i t s s t r u c t u r a l d iv is io n th e
f r e e - s ta n d in g p a in tin g a llo w s f o r s h a rp ly c o n tr a s tin g moods.
The
im agery o f b o th s id e s makes u se o f th e s c r e e n lik e c o n s tr u c tio n , which
s e rv e s to c r e a te a sen se o f movement.
T his p ie c e re d e f in e s th e g a lle r y
space and prom otes p h y s ic a l i n t e r a c t i o n w ith th e v ie w e r.
Jhe t h e a t e r
work I have done h e re p ro v id e d th e m o tiv a tio n f o r making a p ie c e t h a t
2
would in t e g r a t e my work w ith ' human a c ti o n .
The p a in tin g fu n c tio n s as
a b a c k d ro p , w h ile th e view er a c ts as a p l a y e r .
In th e s e w o rk s, i t i s
my hope t h a t th e v ie w er can r e a c t on an em o tio n al le v e l to th e c o lo r ,
w hich i s b o th muted and v i b r a n t , th e momentum o f th e g e s tu r e arid th e «
forms and im ages.
3
LIST OF SLIDES
1
U n title d
60"x48"
m ixed m edia on c lo th
2
U n title d
72"x96"
m ixed m edia on c lo th
3
" P a ss io n P la y "
60"x72"
m ixed m edia on c lo th
4
"S tra n g e But True"
72"x96"
mixed m edia on c lo th
5
"R ig h t Between th e E y e s, S i r "
72"x96"
mixed m edia on c lo th
6
U n title d
96"x96"x36"
m ixed media on c lo th w ith wood
7
"M erging P a r a l l e l s "
96"x96"
mixed m edia on c lo th
8
"World W ithout End, Amen"
S ide I - l e f t
96"x336"
mixed m edia on c lo th
9
Same t i t l e
S ide I - r i g h t
10
Same t i t l e
S id e 2 - l e f t
11
Same t i t l e
Side 2 - r i g h t
12
" In a N u ts h e ll"
72"x48"
mixed m edia on c lo th
13
"A ll Ways"
72"x96"
mixed m edia on c l o t h
14
"T hat M arty r I s No H ero"
144"x96"
mixed m edia on c lo th
15
"Here and Now"
96"x96" '
m ixed m edia on c lo th
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