Hiroshi Sugimoto and U2

Given how beautiful they are I guess it shouldn't be a huge surprise that a Hiroshi Sugimoto photo is on the front of the upcoming U2 album. It does seem a bit unexpected though - if his photos were used by bands like Sigur Ros or Explosions in the Sky it would seem more appropriate, but U2? Maybe this is their ambient/experimental album. Ha ha.

For more on Hiroshi Sugimoto, check my previous posts.

Shallow / Deep Space and the works of Kate Shepherd

Kate Shepherd, 'As the hart panteth after the water brooks'
Black Floor and Dark Yellow Walls, 2004
Enamel & oil on panel
80 x 99 inches


My sketch at the Indianapolis Art Museum of the above painting by Kate Shepherd. It took me awhile to figure out the pattern. I was really intrigued by this piece because of its balance of depth and flatness - the pattern makes the floor recede, but the yellow is nearly flat. There is a minor value change from the left side to the right which was less emphasized in person. Another thing that is difficult to translate to pixels is the gloss of this painting - She used a extremely glossy enamel on this piece which added to the depth.

Kate Shepherd, Clay Steps to Sea and Striped Sky, 2004
Enamel & oil on panel
60 x 90 inches (152.4 x 228.6 cm)

The way she breaks up empty space with separate panels interested me and influenced this piece from last year:

Nathan Abels
"Highway Audience"
Acrylic on Panels (each 24x36")

Kate Shepherd, Brave Tailor's Swath, Lit Lake on Small Midnight Billboard, 2006
Oil and enamel on panel
60 x 84 inches (152.4 x 213.4 cm)

This piece reminds me of the 'Seascape' series of photography of Hiroshi Sugimoto (below)

as well as the minimal works of Brice Marden like this:


Brice Marden, "Grove IV". 1976, Oil and Wax on Canvas, two panels, 72x108 overall