A DIALOGUE BETWEEN LINES AND FLORAL MOTIFS IN PAINTING

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Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
A Dialogue between Lines and Floral Motifs in Painting This research was focussed on creating a dialogue between lines and the floral in painting. Many painters have worked on floral paintings looking at the flower exclusively. There were also research works done on the floral form but, non to the knowledge of the researcher were in relation to lines as centre of interest. The study aimed at exploring the interactive role of lines as they affected the forms and shapes of the flower. While the objectives were firstly to illustrate harmonious coexistence of line on the shape and form of flower, secondly to create compositions in which the floral form is fully fused with lines, finally to explore the possibilities of reducing these fused forms into simple lines and geometric forms. The methodology for this research was practice based, and data for the study was gathered through the processes of observation, photographs and sketches. Instruments employed for data collection were camera, scanner and the computer. Manipulation of data in the studio led to works being categorized into two main headings, Exploratory and Developmental categories. The Exploratory category was further sub divided into two stages, namely Representational and Experimental stages. The Representational stage, focussed on realistic rendition of the floral forms with subdued lines. While the Experimental stage was directed towards producing works in which lines became dominant while the flowers were transformed into abstract forms, diverse types of media were explored. The Development category was also divided into three stages namely; “Geometric and Organic lines Infusion”, “Organic lines Infusion” and “Geometric lines Infusion”. Geometric and Organic lines Infusion, saw a mixture of mechanical and curvy lines used in making Plate XIV, which was simplified to produce three more works in stages. Organic lines Infusion saw only irregular wavy lines used in creating Plate XVIII, which was progressively simplified into producing other paintings. Geometric lines infusion, an abstract floral fashioned using horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines was created, which was also simplified to produce three more paintings. The following findings were discovered; that the use of lines fall into two major categories, line can be used as a means to an end; this is when line is used in its traditional role of bordering objects or as mere brush strokes. Line can also be used as an end in itself; this is when line is used for its expressive qualities as seen in Mondrian’s and Kandinsky’s works. Organic lines are more harmonious with the floral forms in realistic rendition compared to Geometric lines. It was also observed that lines were more expressively used in abstract rendition in comparison to realistic rendition. The researcher recommends that further studies should be carried out to establish if floral can be made to interact further with lines, space and texture.