Karen Amanda Harris

Statement

Mathematics is sublime: a world where mysteries conceal deeper mysteries within. My work is non-digital, created by markers, ink liners and gel pens on watercolour paper. I tend to start with an experiment in mind (e.g. variations on a zigzag) and see what emerges. At every stage the geometry presents new options, every option yielding further possibilities. "Shall I end this line at this point, or extend it to that point? What if I veer off at 45 degrees? Shall I repeat the pattern here, or here? How many repetitions? What if I trace and rotate it, or superimpose another pattern over it?" The mix of freedom and discipline, of line and colour, offers unexpected hints of strange and vivid worlds, infinite spaces and multi-dimensionality.

Artworks

This piece portrays the joyous dance of coloured light. Three horizontal rows each contain six circles. In each row, the circle centres are consistently spaced 6cm apart, while the radii increase by 1cm each time. The radius of the smallest circle is 1cm; the largest 6cm. The top and bottom rows get progressively larger from left to right; the middle row from right to left. The effect is of three cones, radiating light-filled orbs that overlap and diverge. Twelve blue shards radiate from the centre of each middle-row orb to the outer edges of the upper and lower orbs, via a midpoint change of direction. The resulting distorted kite forms get sequentially wider and closer from left to right, adding to the vivid dance of the light beams.