Damian Boylan

FIRE PAINTINGS

Fire Paintings are an ongoing series of works with the intent of observing and employing combustive reaction as the chief mark making tool.

Whereas paint application alone has the effect of building up the canvas surface in an additive process, combustion rather, etches into the surface in a subtractive way, as it applies its destructive force.

In this sense, the depth of the work is in bringing one into the painting rather than away from it. Modulation of the fuel source and flame, brings gradation in tone, much as with the painter’s brush.

The charred remnants of the underlying substrate serves as a reminder of the energy latent within all matter, and the inherent beauty in its destruction.

The Fire Paintings series marks an introspective look into the Laws of Thermodynamics, revealing the profundity of the Second Law denoting ‘Entropy’, and in doing so, giving rise to the so called ‘Arrow of time’.

 Damian Boylan - Parallelism [2020]

Butane & brass on wood panel. 122 x 122 cm / 48 x 48”.

Damian Boylan - Thurible [2020]

Butane, brass, wood & marble sculpture. 40 x 50 x 36 cm / 16 x 20 x 14”.

Damian Boylan - Roseline [2020]

Butane, brass on wood panel, ø 90 cm / 36"