The Artwork Of Reuben Paterson 🎨

The Work Of Reuben Paterson

Reuben Paterson is a 45-year old New Zealand painter whose mediums including diamond dust and glitter. He is known for is his pieces which include both art nouveau and kowhaiwhai inspired design.

This piece is called "Generations Stopped By The Bomb" from 2003. 

What are some ways they have composed their image well?

This piece is an open composition that can be recognised by its design features that escape the frame slightly. The artist has creatively used layering excellently as the patterns overlap one another. 

They have used shapes well as the piece includes both geometric and circular designs with sharp and curved edges. I don't think this is a traditional in terms of Kowhaiwhai design because it includes colours that are bright and bold which you wouldn't see in Maori culture.  However, in Art Noveau bright colours are often seen in the designs. It is because of this I think the artist has merged and incorporated both Art Nouveau and Kowhaiwhai designs well into this piece. 

What can you take from this work and apply to your own?

I think I can take the colour palette from not only this work but also lots of Reuben Paterson's art. He uses colour confidently to incorporate the colours of Art Nouveau to Maori designs. I can also take the use of shapes - a mixture of geometric triangles, swirls, and circles. I really like the layering in this design but I think the composition is too much of a bold choice. I would have enjoyed it more if it was a closed composition because the piece would be symmetrical.