Darkness of Night 100 x 76 cm

"Darkness of Night" is an artwork conceived to embody the profound and multifaceted experience of darkness. It is not merely the absence of light, but a presence in itself – one that holds mystery, depth, and an overwhelming sense of texture. My intention was to create a piece that draws the viewer in, not through color, but through the tangible, almost palpable, quality of its surface.

My Creation Process

1. The Evocation of Darkness: The title, "Darkness of Night," is the direct inspiration. I wanted to translate the visual and emotional impact of deep night into a physical object. Darkness can be perceived as dense, engulfing, and full of subtle variations that emerge only through touch or extreme low light. This artwork aims to give these sensations a form.

2. Material Choice for Depth: To represent the density and profoundness of night, I chose a very fine-grained modeling paste applied generously to a robust canvas. This allows for the creation of deep relief and a surface that can hold subtle variations.

3. Sculpting the Experience of Darkness: The texture is the heart of this artwork, intended to be the primary vehicle for expressing "darkness":

   • Vertical Grooves: The entire surface is characterized by deep, vertical grooves. These are not uniform; they vary in width and depth, creating an irregular, organic pattern. This irregularity is key to the piece's essence, as true darkness is never perfectly smooth or flat but is perceived through subtle shifts and undulations.
   • Mimicking Natural Textures: These grooves are designed to evoke various textures associated with profound darkness: the rough bark of ancient trees, the deep fissures in rock faces, or the dense folds of heavy, light-absorbing fabric. The way light catches the edges of these grooves and falls into their depths is crucial to the artwork's impact.
   • The Tactile Element: The intention is for the viewer to feel the darkness. The deep crevices create substantial shadows, making the textured surface appear almost three-dimensional and visually dense. The slight variations in the surface allow for subtle shifts in perceived depth depending on the angle of light.

4. The Monochromatic Palette: The artwork is rendered in a deep, matte, almost velvety black.

   • Absence and Presence: Black is the color of pure darkness. By using a matte finish, I ensure that light is absorbed rather than reflected, enhancing the sense of depth and mystery. The matte surface prevents harsh glares, allowing the viewer's eye to be drawn into the textures rather than be repelled by reflections.
   • Focus on Form: The monochromatic nature of the piece forces an absolute focus on the form and texture. Without the distraction of color, the viewer experiences the raw materiality and the sculpted relief.

5. Composition and Presentation:

   • Vertical Dominance: The composition is strictly vertical, emphasizing a sense of continuous, unbroken darkness stretching upwards or downwards. The slightly uneven spacing and varying depth of the grooves create a rhythm that is both natural and compelling.
   • Frameless Presentation: The artwork is presented as a frameless piece, with the texture extending to the very edges of the canvas. This reinforces the idea that the darkness is all-encompassing, not confined by borders. The sides of the canvas are also finished in the same deep black, ensuring the artwork feels like a solid object of darkness.

My Artistic Intent

"Darkness of Night" is my abstract interpretation of the profound, tactile, and mysterious quality of darkness. I aimed to create an artwork that is felt as much as it is seen, using deep vertical textures to represent the density, depth, and subtle variations of the night. The matte black finish is essential for absorbing light and emphasizing the sculpted form, drawing the viewer into an immersive experience of pure darkness. It is a celebration of the beauty found in the absence of light

Size: 100 × 76 cm

Every piece is handcrafted and one of a kind

Heavy duty frames used for each art piece

Created by local artists in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah