Pat Harvey
Pat Harvey’s imagery often features water not only in a landscape context or to denote a place, but also in a symbolic sense.
“Intrinsic”— Pat Harvey’s artist statement
“My fascination with water and nature, in general, goes back to my early childhood. I can remember at three and a half years of age starting with a sense of wonder at the expanse of the ocean sparkling with light from the deck of the ship as we emigrated from England.
My observations then remained largely unconscious and unarticulated. It’s not surprising however, that when I began to create images, the qualities of water would feature. Its constant change, depth and reflective nature become visual metaphors for the naturally occurring processes of life. We are all part of this web of life which unites all living things and is largely maintained and created by the elements; water, air, fire and earth. Water and sun particularly play the role as nature’s nurturer. Our biological clock connect us to the cycles of nature, our inherent connection.
The act of creating images, visual metaphors and symbols is intrinsic; a very natural way of working for an artist.
The focus here is on constant change. The rhythm of nature, the passage of time, and transformation with water functioning as an element of change.
The water takes on characteristics other than its own in an almost alchemical manner: molten metal, mother-of-pearl, the sheen of fabric.”