The Switchback (States I & II) prints continue Barbara Takenaga’s exploration of spiral patterns morphing into loops and swirls. Composed of spots, dots and circles they imply a depth that is contradicted by the reflective surfaces of the pearlescent powder used. The prints shimmer, glow and transform as the viewer moves and the source of light changes.
Takenaga’s patterns are slowly built through a meditative drawing process. Each dot and fine line is carefully painted by hand, gradually increasing and decreasing in scale as they ebb and flow through the composition.
The Switchback diptychs have been printed in editions of 15, plus proofs. State I, shown above, is printed on Blue Magnani Pescia (left panel) and White Rives BFK (right panel).