Artist Statement – “Soft Boundaries”
This piece was created collaboratively, with each person taking turns painting a section of the canvas. We began by using masking tape to divide the surface into sections, which gave the process structure and clear boundaries. While this felt grounding at first, it also meant that I had to respond to choices I didn’t make myself.
In the early stages, the painting felt fragmented and uncertain. I noticed my own struggle with letting go of control, wanting to plan ahead, refine, or correct what was already there. Working within a monochromatic blue colour palette became a way for me to focus on cohesion rather than control. By exploring changes in tone and value instead of introducing new colours, I could respond more intuitively to the work as it evolved.
As the taped divisions softened and sections blended together, the piece became a reflection of the collaborative process itself. The final work holds evidence of learning to trust others, accept unpredictability, and allow the painting to become something I couldn’t fully direct. In this way, the process challenged me to loosen my grip and find meaning in shared creation rather than complete control.
