Nolan Haan
Cinder Block: an autobiography
I transform silk into cement. I paint portraits of concrete blocks and cinder block walls. Common. Gray. Unassuming. I want to ennoble this humble building material and make you see it differently. To me, cinder blocks exude strength, character, and personality. Like human beings, each block is unique, yet shares traits with others of its kind. I acknowledge their flaws and celebrate their imperfections, for therein lies their beauty. I rely on subtle modulations of color, highlights, and shadows to suggest light hitting a wall.
The challenge to paint convincing cement took me six months to solve. I paint in acrylic on silk. Because of silk fine weave, the illusion of cement is not compromised by the texture of canvas. I use brushes, rubbing, and spray paint to transform the luxurious fabric into concrete. No computer, printing, photo transfer, silk screen, or photographic techniques are used.
Nolan Haan
