Artist Stephen Cimini creates architecturally-inspired compositions he calls random symmetry. See more of his fascinating portfolio by visiting his website.
“Parallel Lives” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas, 48” x 48” x 2”
In the late 1990s I was living in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City and began taking photographs of the crumbling buildings in Times Square. This was the beginning of the rebuilding of the area.
“Trans Angel” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas, 48” x 78.5” x 3”
I loved the history of layers being revealed as buildings were being torn down. New structures were jutting up, creating interesting geometric shapes.
“The All-Seeing Eye” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas, 32” x 32” x 2”
I began drawing from the photos and eventually used them as inspiration for compositions. The textures and peeling of paint of the old interiors influenced my paint material choices. I discovered cold wax medium mixed with oil paint which allowed me to layer the paint, which created interesting organic surfaces.
“Gold Miner” Oil, Cold Wax, Gold Leaf Composite and Marble Dust on Canvas, 24” x 24” x 2”
I started calling my work architectural abstract. It stuck, and became the roots of my work ever since.
“Yellow Makes the Moves” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas, 35” x 35” x 2”
As my art evolved, I found myself working more with geometric shapes and their relationship to each other. Sometimes I draw directly on the canvas, fitting the shapes together on the canvas, like putting puzzle shapes together as I go.
“Lucid Daydream” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas, 28” x 28” x 2”
Other times I make sketches using them as the basis for the painting. I’ve come to refer to my compositions as random symmetry, because they create a balance with no discernible pattern.
“Green Chile Tango” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas, 35” x 35” x 2”
With some of my most recent work, I make a geometric construction and lay it on a background. For some of them I use large-scale ancient Islamic mosaic patterns as a background. I also work with various canvas and paper sizes and shapes from 8-inch square to large oversized pieces.
“Verdigris” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas with Wood Case Frame, 25” x 25” x 1”
Color choice is another vital part of my painting process. I’ve studied basic color theory but I find working directly with color has taught me the most.
“No Caution” Oil, Cold Wax and Marble Dust on Canvas with Wood Case Frame, 25” x 25” x 1”
Sometimes I start with a random color combination just to keep me away from “color habits.” I can end up with mud or an exciting new combination. Another direction I sometimes take is keeping the palette monochromatic. The possibilities of different blues are endless. Color is an never-ending mystery for me.
Artist Stephen Cimini with one of his compositions
For the most part I am a self-taught artist, although I did study briefly at the San Francisco Art Institute and School of Visual Arts in New York City. I always loved abstract paintings even as a child. The world of geometric shapes has given me endless possibilities.
Artist Stephen Cimini invites you to follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
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