JAN KABATOFF - Artist Statement

I have always strived to convey a deeper understanding of, and an intimate connection with the natural world through my work.    The close-up studies of ice, rocks and plants done in water-colour twenty years ago, have led to more recent encaustic paintings of watermarks on stone, ice patterns and geological formations, as well as hand-printed limited edition etchings of the wildflowers of the Rockies.

The encaustic medium of melted beeswax mixed with ground earth pigments has played an important role in facilitating an organic and tactile approach to painting.   Building up the many layers of wax, heating the surface to bind the layers together, then scraping away the surface to reveal what lies beneath is a laborious and painstaking process, similar to an archeological dig for fossilized remains.   The alchemical way in which the medium behaves, as it goes from a liquid to a solid, and the many layers of wax, acts as a metaphor for the earth's cooling process and the compressed layers of sedimentation that make up the earth's crust.

Glaciers also tell a story through the many layers of compressed snow and ice, with dust particles that have circulated the globe sandwiched in between.   Not only are glaciers a source of inspiration for my work, but they have become a point of deep concern as global warming and climate change accelerate the rate of glacial melt.   With the ecological crises at hand, I have begun trekking to glaciers with professional mountain guides for photographic documentation as well as audio recording of the sound of glaciers melting.

This way of working facilitates a deeper connection with the natural world and stimulates a reflection on the gendered and dualistic world-view that separates nature from culture and science from natural philosophy.   As a result, I strive to emphasize nature as a holistic and active force and try to bring a greater awareness of our interdependence and interconnectedness with the natural environment.

Email: info@summitfineart.com

Telephone: 403.762.4455