Abstract

This body of work explores the use of the figure as a recurrent motif in landscape painting. The Romantic figures depicted by Caspar David Friedrich offer a more generalised representation of mankind and came to symbolise certain philosophical values of the Romantic period. My work seeks to adopt these uses of the figure, but positions the figure in a more active role in the contemporary landscape I photograph. In these contemporary views of the landscape, urbanisation and industrialisation of the rural are apparent, so that sentimental approaches are avoided. Details: Series of seven works, entitled, ‘Later’ (2005) 122 cm x 152 cm, ‘Reverie’ diptych (2005) 122 cm x 152 cm, ‘Vanishing Horizon’ diptych (2003) 80 cm x 100 cm, ‘The Long View’ (2003) 80 cm x 100 cm, ‘Untitled (after Caspar David Friedrich) I & II’ (2002) 80 cm x 100 cm, ‘Supposition: Once the Smallest Detail has been Understood then Everything is Understood’ (1997) 80 cm x 100 cm, colour lightjet photographic prints, edition of three.