a suspension of three canvas basins documenting evaporation rings with raw
pigment. He continues to use raw earth
pigments as both subject and metaphor
in his work.
Witzke has since developed other
apparatuses and structures to hold water
that flows and drifts through the pigments and canvas over varying periods
of time. As the water evaporates, it leaves
permanent path marks and patterns on
the canvas. Mohawk Brothers is an example of Witzke's paintings, which are
unusually large. But as is the case with
fine art, the more you look, the more you
see. In this case, the markings of time
are expressed in an unconventional yet
memorable manner.
In some of his early works, Witzke
combined traditional tube colours with
foreign matter, such as dust, earth and
seeds. Much of his current work uses
natural pigments harvested by hand
from various sites ranging from New
York to Nunavut.
"I am also looking beyond my local
environment and looking to use other soils,
dirt and pollen and residues in a hybrid of
archeo-artistic practices," Witzke says.
In 2012, Witzke was the recipient of a research
and development grant from the Canada
Council for the Arts. He can be reached at
250-212-7922 or kmwitzke@shaw.ca. ■
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