Janet Carkeek [b. 1953: Indianapolis, Indiana]
gesso and pastel on plywood
24 by 24 inches
Collection of the Illinois State Museum
Carkeek is one of a new wave of artists mining the rich vein of abstraction running through American art for the last century who are using new materials, approaches, and most importantly, attitudes, to establish their individual voice. Instead of looking to outside experience or spiritual transcendence to determine her imagery, Carkeek looks literally into her materials to assist her in the creation of what seem to be vast, monochomatic landscapes.
The viewer will instantly recognize her imagery for what it is: the wood grain of her plywood support. But, as the visionary British poet/illustrator William Blake said,““Oh, to see the universe in a grain of sand.”