A desire for balance

: harmonic construction and integration

Abstract

This thesis is an exploration and resolution, in a painting process, of a desire to translate feeling into a visual language.

The exegesis entitled A Desire for Balance: Harmonic Construction and Integration describes the process, the exploration and resolution, in four parts:

Part 1 "The Historical, Philosophical and Theoretical Associations" offers references which link to the developmental stages of the painting process. It outlines the resolution of a conflict which emerged between the ideas and method of painting in relation to the aims.

Part 2 "Discovering a Formula" distinguishes the association of ideas and the methodology of the painting process and describes the search and construction of a painting formula which has been both derived from and guided the painting process.

Part 3 "Methodology of the Painting Process" elaborates a narrative of the development in four progressive stages.

Stage I "Struggle-Identify" describes the conflicting experience in the painting process between structure and gesture.

Stage 2 "Struggle-Resolve" discusses a resolution in the method of painting and illustrates the logic and significance of an "intuitive spontaneous" gesture.

Stage 3 "Transition" proceeds under three headings: Influences introduces further influences to support earlier concerns; Exploration discusses a change in format and painting technique and offers an explanation of ideas which are explored in the painting process; Connection describes the ongoing painting process and resolution.

Stage 4 "Integration" provides a formal description of the five paintings which complete a series of twelve for the Master in Fine Arts, exhibition of paintings entitled Integration. The "Summary" offers a personal insight.

The Narrative, included as the appendix, offers an overall description of the painting process, the exploration and resolution.

Date of Award	Jul 1998
Original language	English