I am a painter of suggestion, interested in
motion, storytelling, and the sincerity of mark making. I use the
seduction of rhythm and texture to create structures and form. These elements
become the basis for emotional bookmarks on the surface of our memories.
Because of their fluid nature, our imagination becomes fired by these
instances, enhancing a reality we want to know and one we think we’ve seen.
I am intrigued by the notion that while
black is supposed to be the absence of color, its reflective and absorptive
surface actually presents a variety of hues. I use different densities of black
color derived from hand ground Chinese Ink, carbon, mars and ivory acrylic
black and thickened onyx house paint. The resulting matte surfaces and
reflections of light mix with the intimacy of the paper to create an endless
depth. I mix this with a variety of textures and geometric forms to establish
an organic motion. Occasionally I use acrylic reds and golds or gold leaf in
the process. The layers in my work are structures and forms of emotions. They
are part of our individual consciousness, waiting to be touched and expressed.
"As a painter I explore
many different types of mediums and methods in art. Feel free to explore my
portfolios"
Additional images can
be viewed at www.DonaldKolberg.com
Donald's wire mesh sculpture, steel ribbon art and painting embraces the organic development of perception as it relates to medium and message presented by movement and the human form in its figurative and abstract appearance, LifeForms. Masses associated with the traditional proportions of the figure are exploited in ways that blend the sculpture into planes that enhance the anatomical structure.Because of the open mesh I am able to explore the underlying tension of
muscles and movement in relation to the implied mass of the figure. Shadows created by these sculptures appear three dimensional, complementing the original structure of the art.
Viewed together they are a dance of form and movement that has not been seen in traditional carving or modeling. Steel Ribbon Sculpture also becomes an organic exploration into the abstraction of human form. The surface interacts with the positive and negative space created by the intersection of planes and texture forming lyrical adaptations of movement and volume. I guess you can say I look for an ease and harmony in my attitude toward sculpture. This interaction of the piece with its environment, including in most, the cast shadow, allows me to capture the unique quality of the whole subject. The character of the steel mesh diffuses the importance of mass so that I can emphasis the inner muscular tension, sometimes directly through distortion. By rejecting volume for a more kinetic rhythm in my steel ribbon, I can explore the basic forms of our perceptions of real time. Even the most perceptually static of my pieces, like my experimental glass cubes explores what Degas explored in painting, the problems of form and movement.
Additionally, my recent sculptural and narrative collages will be displayed for the first time. This work reflects an exploration into reducing the elements of physical forms and color into exciting abstractions that flow across a canvas and stories that weave across textures.
Donald Kolberg was born in Levittown N.Y. Since graduating from high school he has been on the road, living between the east and west coast as well as spending time overseas. During that time he attended a number of colleges in N.Y. and Ca. He graduated with a Fine Arts Degree from California State University, Los Angeles and went on to graduate studies at Otis Art Institute also in Los Angeles. He helped in the founding of Art Core, an organization dedicated to the open dialogue and display of the work of emerging artists. His association with Lydia Takeshita, a teacher at CSULA and major influence for what was later to become LA ARTCORE allowed Donald to first truly start to grow as an artist. While at Otis Art Institute his teacher and main influence was internationally recognized painter Arnold Mesches. Through his guidance Donald learned the value of depth, texture and form in images and surface. Arnold stressed that questioning the development of art, as a means for learning gave insight into your own growth. Donald incorporated this into his concept of Life Forms, the portrayal of the human figure as a landscape of life and a celebration of form. After finishing school Donald began his travels back and forth across the United States exhibiting his paintings and sculpture works.
His work as an independent television producer led him to create "Periscope Up", a 10 part television series for PBS in PA. Donald continues to create as he explores the language of art and the concept of Life Forms in figurative as well as
abstract concepts. Most recently he has renewed a friendship with international artist Harold Garde. This has allowed Donald to more deeply examine color through the creation of collage and monotypes and how to employ these features
in his newest sculptures. Donald’s work has been exhibited with work from the Albany Museum of Art in Ga, displayed at MOFA, The Museum of Florida Art and recently at a group show at the Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Fl.
Recently he has been invited to have works included in an upcoming book, "Recycled Glass Sculpture and Design" by Cindy Ann Coldiron, published by Schiffer Publishing."
Additional work and information can be found at www.Donaldkolberg.com
