I have always had a deep interest in the decay of man-made structures and have been fortunate enough to view such structures throughout the world. Beginning with a childhood fascination with monoliths from the Neolithic period of Europe, I have studied the ruins of ancient cities in many countries. Archaeology, from an artist’s perspective, remains a deep passion for me.
I also have a deep, long-standing interest in geology. We have all observed that the earth is always at work, patiently and systematically reforming and reclaiming everything, including man-made objects. Mankind is often at odds with terra firma. As buildings crumble and corpses decay, there is a poetic beauty in this reclamation process.
Archeology and geology both inform my paintings, monotypes and sculpture. My work often attempts to capture the rare balance that exists when distinctions between nature and the man-made seem to disappear. Much of my current work could be seen as landscape in nature. I refer to these works as “Shift Sites” which depict the slow movement of large natural and man-made formations.
The “Towers of Vik” series of paintings is abstracted depictions of rock formations near the small village of Vik on the southern coast of Iceland. Off the black sand beach of Reynisfjara near Vik are huge towering sea stacks, basalt rock formations called Reynisdrangar, which stand imposingly, over 60 meters, above the indigo/black turbulence of the Atlantic ocean. They have an other-worldly appearance, and like most of Iceland’s geology, present a severe testament to the region’s volcanic history.
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Ramone Muñoz
Artist Statement – abbreviated
I have always had a deep interest in the decay of man-made structures and have been fortunate enough to view such structures throughout the world. Beginning with a childhood fascination with monoliths from the Neolithic period of Europe, I have studied the ruins of ancient cities in many countries. Archaeology, from an artist’s perspective, remains a deep passion for me.
I also have a deep, long-standing interest in geology. We have all observed that the earth is always at work, patiently and systematically reforming and reclaiming everything, including man-made objects. Mankind is often at odds with terra firma. As buildings crumble and corpses decay, there is a poetic beauty in this reclamation process.
Archeology and geology both inform my paintings, monotypes and sculpture. My work often attempts to capture the rare balance that exists when distinctions between nature and the man-made seem to disappear. Much of my current work could be seen as landscape in nature. I refer to these works as “Shift Sites” which depict the slow movement of large natural and man-made formations.
The “Towers of Vik” series of paintings is abstracted depictions of rock formations near the small village of Vik on the southern coast of Iceland. Off the black sand beach of Reynisfjara near Vik are huge towering sea stacks, basalt rock formations called Reynisdrangar, which stand imposingly, over 60 meters, above the indigo/black turbulence of the Atlantic ocean. They have an other-worldly appearance, and like most of Iceland’s geology, present a severe testament to the region’s volcanic history.
Comment by aylwardnow October 4, 2009 @ 12:17 am