Whitney Sanford presents a collection of mixed media artwork based on observations of architecture and cultural change around the world. Visit her website to see more of her work.
“Yemen” Watercolor, Pen and Ink, 13” x 18”
A while ago, I was in Crestet, France, a small hilltop town with a population of thirty-five. It is a beautiful medieval town where the buildings match each other in style and material. Looking closer, I realized that all the buildings were made from the same stuff, tiny stones which could be hand-held. There wasn’t a mountain or quarry around. It may sound trite, but this changed my way of thinking.
“Banjarmasin” Watercolor, Pen and Ink, 12.5” x 15.5”
Where were these people fleeing from? Did they succeed? How long did it take them to build? What has happened here since?
“San Francisco, Aerial” Watercolor, Pen and Ink, 16” x 20”
I swear that if my parents had bought me legos as a child, I’d be an architect. Instead, I create paintings of buildings.
“Guangzhou” Watercolor, Pen and Ink, 12” x 15”
Starting with the assumption that all civilizations began out of our most fundamental need, and witnessing the repetitions in both structure and style (due to various political takeovers), I have to wonder, “Why is it that we insist on being so resistant to one another? Aren’t we all after the same goal?”
“Porto” Watercolor, Pen and Ink on Wood, 24” x 24”
Architecture is alive.
“Malang” Watercolor, Gouache, Pen and Ink, 12” x 15”
Its life is ironically most visible in these ancient towns. You can see and feel the wear of feet on the stairs from endless processions, or the erosion on a wall where a monument was removed.
“Miami Beach” Watercolor, Pen and Ink, 12.5” x 15”
I am not an architect. However, I use these paintings as a chance to explore both the history of whichever culture I’m exploring, and their decision-making process in city planning. I can pretend to be there and be with them, and am learning to understand.
“Ghardaia” Watercolor, Pen and Ink, 12” x 8”
I travel as much as I can, but when I can’t, I use drone photographs to explore the world. Then I transcribe these images into intricate and intimate paintings using watercolor and mixed media.
“Shinsakai” Watercolor, Pen and Ink, 16” x 20”
Climate change, the rise in nationalism, and economic disparity hitting the world at large, will all take their toll on our buildings. In some cases, cultures have fled to other places, perhaps to carry their own hand-held stones up a giant hill to rebuild.
“Mumbai” Watercolor, Gouache, Pen and Ink, 11.75” x 15”
These are my humble documentations of various civilizations in a time of curious humanity.
Artist Whitney Sanford invites you to follow her on Instagram.
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