Philippa Graff

Johannesburg, South Africa

My forest paintings are tactile in quality. I investigate the tangible quality of the forest, by sticking dried and wet leaves onto the canvas. I use sticks and sand that I gather in my nearby forest and apply them to the surface with gel paste.

I concern myself with the atmosphere of the floor of the forest, whereby I focus on the mulch formed by layers and layers of leaves. I examine the colour tones which are deepened and lightened by the shadows formed by the branches and leaves.

The actual paint and act of painting takes on an important part of my work. I do not attempt to know the final image, but enjoy the process of exploring, adding, and erasing paint and colours, until I arrive at the desired place. I set out to create an ambiance rather than a visual reality.

Work

– represents a sold painting