Abstract Painting: Title: I Can`t Smile Without You by SA Surrealist Artist & Pioneer Ras Steyn MFA

Abstract Painting: Title: I Can't Smile Without You

by SA Surrealist Artist & Pioneer Ras Steyn MFA

Dimensions: 320MM by 320MM

Medium(s): Oil/Acrylic/Glass/Molten Plastic/Resin 

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Ras Steyn holds a Master's Degree in Art & Technology and applies himself to divergent research issues related to the de-centered nature of the human body-identity. The result is often abstract, protean in shape, and carnal in theme. As an Art Researcher & Academic Specialist in 'Nu-Surrealism' & Anomalous Contemporary Arts & Culture, it comes as no surprise that he directs his focus on Sublime Corporeal Errors, the Visionary elements in Surrealism, Post-Surrealism, Dream Symbolism and Disordered Outsider Art.

 His art ranges from collages, concrete and tactile objects, sketches, paintings,skyscape photography as well as an array of Digital Fine Art Prints.
I would describe my technique(s) as process art. It involves photographing images, scanning old photos, printing them out so as to rework them with ink and pen and lead pencil. Then they are re-photographed and subjected to programs like Ulead PhotoImpact and Adobe Photoshop. If I print the final digital image on canvas I may alter the image again with pen and Ink, acrylic paint and black Parker ink. I don't like painting with oil because I am ashamedly impatient. I love creating miniature sculptures and perturbing torsos that are darkly fantastic. My latest works are dream-based and almost entirely biomorphic.  They are  cybernetic anomalies, whether they be anthropomorphic monsters, cultural androids, humanoids or cyborgs - are more like ideas for obsolete techno-anatomies and even hint at the creation of futuristic fashion icons. Some are meticulous drawings with fine liners and/or intricate lead pencil sketches. Finally, Images are re-scanned & color corrected.   

A great deal of my visual output reflects my concern about the silent eradication of South African myths and traditional legends. Southern African culture and ancient tribes, some nomadic and others dominant in specific regions, have provided a plethora of magical metaphoric tales worthy of crucial preservation for future inquisitive minds. "Moreover, I like to think of my visual art as contemporary archetypes or abstracted rituals that aim to incite new stories - they are Southern African-Futurist Folklore Visions and Neo-Legends trying to root themselves." [Ras Steyn: 19/06/2022]

Over the last five years I have pursued the study of abstract expression as well as reductive abstract paintings. After working within the lines with much of my other mediums, I had to set traps for myself in order to ignite accidents - accidents that are necessary in the production of harmonious abstraction. You have to make peace with the fact that not all your abstract experiments are going to result in exquisite compositions, but that's how the process unfolds - and somehow you just have to find a way to disconnect from your orderly and pragmatic self.  

Contemporary artist Ras Steyn is based in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

His work has been described as anthropomorphic, controversial, conceptually unique and a protean attack on visual mediocrity.

Dimensions: 320MM by 320MM

Medium(s): Oil/Acrylic/Glass/Molten Plastic/Resin