Negative Perspective Collage - A New Technique in Art

Since the beginning of visual arts, artists have used an array of materials and techniques to entice and mesmerize the viewer. Today’s visual artists are faced with the challenge of creating original techniques in order to produce innovative and dynamic images that will captivate their viewers.

For Z. McCarthy’s recent body of work, the artist has used acrylic paint along with handmade paper to create enticing and colorful relief collages on canvas. While exploring these collage techniques, McCarthy says the she has employed Hans Hofmann’s theory, “Hofmann believed that an artist must be able to translate his or her own inner world into their chosen medium,” McCarthy states, “but the artist has to acknowledge both mediums limitation and its strengths. Paper has some limitations, but when constructed just right, pieces of paper can become sculptural excitement.”

"The Female"




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Using Hofmann’s theory, McCarthy has been pushing the mediums of paint and collage and working to overcome the challenge of creating an original technique. With her new body of work, McCarthy has overcome this challenge and created an original technique and she has named the technique the Negative Perspective Collage.

The Negative Perspective Collage uses a build up of McCarthy’s own handmade paper, color theory and the grid to create a visual push and pull of space. Although areas are painted in an impasto style, using thick painterly strokes, the collaged areas of the artworks protrude out about two inches off the canvas. Collaged areas visually appear as if they are receding in space, while the painted areas have a volumetric appearance that look as if they are visually popping out. The forms in the abstract works are based on scientific bio-scans.

Negative Perspective Collage #3:



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McCarthy has dedicated her life to this original technique and plans to continue with her experimentation the Negative perspective Collage. The artist will create a large body of work over the next few years.

McCarthy has exhibited her new technique in New York and Florida and has won much recognition and several awards.

You can view the artist's Fine Art works at:

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