Vine Series
Nature's chaos and structure.
Fall
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
50" x 32"
Printed in an edition of 5
Summer 2, Commissioned
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
50" x 50"
Printed in an edition of 10
Variations, Untitled 1
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
32" x 50"
Commissioned
Summer
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
50" x 50"
Printed in an edition of 10
Variations, Yellow
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
32" x 32" each
Printed in an edition of 20
Wisteria, Variations #5
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
32" x 32" each
Printed in an edition of 20
Variations, Red
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
32" x 32" each
Printed in an edition of 20
Twisted
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
50" x 50"
Printed in an edition of 10
Winter
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
50" x 50"
Printed in an edition of 10
Spring
Archival pigment prints
Arches cold press watercolor paper
16" x 80"
Printed in an edition of 5
We loved working with The Vine Series for a prominent space in our building. The artwork brings the natural world inside the interior space. John Brown’s artwork finds a graceful balance between representation and abstraction to engage the viewer. This allows each person to find their own unique way into the art, but in every case the interaction with Brown’s photo-assemblages shows us how nature touches each of us.
—Michael Abrams, Collector and Real Estate Developer
In my ongoing quest to explore various aspects of nature, I became entranced with an arbor of wisteria vines growing near California's southern coast. The strong lines of the trailing plants served as a captivating subject while viewing the swirling configurations through my camera lens. I captured different sections of the branches—using my traditional, single frame approach; but later, in my studio, I realized it was possible to recreate the elaborate vine structures that originally existed on the pastoral, open-air latticework.
The Vine Series' photo-assemblages continue my practice of accentuating details as well as abstracting formations that are found in nature. Yet, this relatively new series also confronts new boundaries—including scale and time.
The space around each picture is intentional—since each photograph can stand on its own. Nevertheless, the graceful, sweeping lines that are shaped by the complex, interlocking vines seem to dance from frame-to-frame. One's viewpoint can move in multiple directions—up/down, vertical/horizontal/diagonal, as well as in/out (to see details or take in a broader perspective). Thus, the borders of the separate images can become almost invisible—depending upon the approach one takes in viewing each composition.
Time also plays a significant role in The Vine Series. The compositions reflect the full range of seasons within a calendar year. In addition, through careful examination, one can discover the movement of a vine or branch—caused by a gentle breeze or wind—that has been captured numerous times on film and, consequently, featured in multiple frames within a single composition.
Nature's chaos and structure; spontaneity, vigor and stillness; clarity, transparency and opacity are harmoniously reflected in The Vine Series.
Image: Twisted, Cross Mackenzie Gallery, Washington, DC, 2012
