A closer look at “Frontispiece” acrylic, pen, ink, laser transfer on paper over panel 24”x 16”x 1.5”
Ferns are flourish in this efflorescent exhibition
featuring Steven L. Anderson
by Yu-Kai Lin, photos by Valentin Sivyakov
Lush yet precise, exacting yet amorphous, Steven L. Anderson’s latest exhibition “How to Know the Ferns” now on exhibition at Kai Lin Art embodies a diverse range of ferns and fern allies in contemplation of the history of botanical art.
exhibition view of Steven L. Anderson’s solo show “How To Know The Ferns”
From panels wrapped with bookcloth, gilt with gold leaf, to spray paint and oil pastel, to the use of bleach on fabric-dyed canvas, Anderson’s choice of media presents a thoughtful exploration of layered and intentional mark-making.
“I have been fascinated by the complex, fractal forms of ferns for a long time, and first made artworks on the subject in 2014. It’s been sitting on my back burner to return to this, until I brought it to the fore last October.” Anderson
Anderson’s “What the Night Tells Me” Spray paint on canvas 34”x 24”x 2”
The artist plays with what it means to document ferns of Georgia with an all-over pattern for “What the Night Tells Me” (spray paint on canvas, 34 x 24 x 2”), to a portrait-like depiction of flora in the dynamic and largest work in the show, “Dreamer of Pictures” (ink, acrylic, marker, solid marker, laser transfer on canvas over wood panel, 68 x 44 x 1.5”).
”Dreamers of Pictures” Ink, acrylic, marker, solid marker, laser transfer on canvas over panel 68”x 44”x 1.5”
In this magnum opus (“Dreamer of Pictures”), Anderson employs the use of negative space to draw the viewer into his vision of the interplay between the masculine and feminine foliage as the deep maroon and thinner fern (left) is woven through the weft of the denser, plump fern in various hues of green (right).
“My Joyous Wisdom” Acrylic, Spray paint, oil pastel on canvas 32”x 48”x 2”
In the center of the exhibition is the postcard of the exhibition, “My Joyous Wisdom” (acrylic, spray paint, oil pastel on canvas, 48 x 32 x 2”). This work refers to Anderson’s drawings of tree rings as the fern’s fronds are wrapped in rings of thin and thick outlined colors which encapsulate the unfolding sporophyte, dancing atop the bottom right of the canvas, in an illustrative element of wonder, germination, and creation.
Bookending the center piece are three works, “Compendium of Nature Writing” (gold leaf, bookcloth, chip board on panel, 24 x 16 x 1.5”), “Liberation Textbook” (gold leaf, bookcloth, chip board on panel, 24 x 18 x 1.5”), and “Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (gold leaf, bookcloth, chip board on panel, 34 x 24 x 1.5”).
Close up on the embossed “Where I Lived and What I Lived For” Gold leaf, book cloth, chip board on panel
Each of these works illustrates ferns debossed and gold leafed onto green and red bookcloth, creating an antiqued relic-like artifact from a bygone time.
These three are dimensional in a “you want to touch them but can’t way”, yet they compel the viewer to take a closer look at the depth and shimmer that encapsulates dew on an autumnal morning fern.
“When I started on this project late in 2022, I sat down and tried to draw a fern freehand, from memory. I couldn’t believe how hard it was! It made me question If I really knew how to draw or paint. To move forward, I knew I had to dig in, use a range of techniques and media, jump back and forth between pieces, and just experiment.“ Anderson
“One Thousandfold” Acrylic, ink, rit dye, laser transfer on canvas 32”x 48”x 2”
The most intriguing work of the show is “One Thousandfold” (acrylic, ink, fabric dye, laser transfer on canvas, 48 x 32 x 2”), which plays with drips and dyes that stain the canvas, creating an ambience of chaotic cacophony and wistful warmth. Anderson’s deft outlining in acrylic of fully developed fronds dance upon the surface of the way you would find a forest of ferns.
“Ferns are still as magical and elusive to me as ever, but I think I’ve learned *how* to know them—by painting and drawing them in as many different ways as I can imagine.” Anderson
”The Fool” Acrylic, ink on canvas 14”x 16”x 2”
Finally in “The Fool” (acrylic, ink, gold leaf, wood stain, laser transfer on canvas, 48 x 32 x 2”), Anderson develops yet another visual language employing densely raised outlines in heavy acrylic on wood-stained canvas. The fern form anchors a luscious flow of vibrant colors in shades of ochre and pink, custard and lavender, olive and emerald. The frond is then topped off with shimmering gold leaf. This piece can be viewed as the kitchen sink of Anderson’s entire body of work: everything, everywhere, all at once.