Washington Diary

October 11-19, 2003

Andy Goldsworthy

Associated Names
Andy Goldsworthy

Artist, British, born 1956

This is a photograph of a sunlit scene in nature surrounded by darkness. The photograph depicts an area of illuminated grass or foliage, possibly part of a larger plant or tree, highlighted by the sunlight, while the surrounding area is steeped in shadows. The contrast between light and dark draws focus to the center, where the natural textures and details are most visible. Below the photograph, there's text written in pencil.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver dye bleach print, graphite

  • Credit Line

    The Nancy Lee and Perry Bass Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 56.7 x 38.1 cm (22 5/16 x 15 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2004.74.2.8


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist; NGA purchase, 2004.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

Oct 18, 2003
CLEAR AND BRIGHT. DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE. I WAS INTERESTED TO SEE IF A GRASS LINE MIGHT WORK AS WELL ON A SUNNY DAY AS IT DID YESTERDAY WHEN OVERCAST.
I WORKED ON A STONE THAT I KNEW WOULD GO IN AND OUT OF THE SUNLIGHT. I PRESSED CLAY ALONG TWO OF ITS EDGES INTO WHICH I THEN PUSHED GRASS STALKS. NOT LONG AFTER I FINISHED THE SUN BEGAN TO PICK OUT SECTIONS OF THE LINE. CONSIDERING THAT I HAD NOT PAID A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THIS PARTICULAR STONE I FELT PLEASED WITH THE WAY IT WORKED.
THIS DRAWING NEEDED TO BE IN A PLACE OF SHADOW AND LIGHT. I HAVE LEARNT A LOT THIS WEEK AND HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN UNDERSTANDING A QUALITY OF LIGHT I HAVE NEVER PREVIOUSLY BEEN ABLE TO DEAL WITH PROPERLY.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I HAVE WORKED FOR 23 YEARS. NOT UNDERSTANDING A WOODLAND FLOOR ON A SUNNY DAY REPRESENTS A SERIOUS GAP IN MY PERCEPTION OF NATURE. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY MADE WORKS ON SUNNY DAYS IN WOODS BUT USUALLY DESPITE THE CONDITIONS RATHER THAN BECAUSE OF THEM.

Wikidata ID

Q64074356

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