Kerry O. Furlani, a contemporary American artist, finds profound joy in the tactile experience of working with black charcoal on large paper. Each drawing begins as a blank canvas, devoid of preconceived themes or titles. With an open mind, Kerry systematically rotates the paper, allowing her hands to intuitively guide the charcoal across its surface, creating marks that gradually evolve into forms.
Throughout the creative process, Kerry steps back from the work, observing its development as a whole. She seeks to uncover the underlying relationships, tensions, and beautiful shapes that emerge from the interplay of forms. Ghost lines serve as a record of her exploration, capturing moments of searching for meaning within the chaos of creation.
Embracing the wilderness of her artistic practice, Kerry embraces the unknown and welcomes the element of surprise, striving for authenticity and beauty in her work. She adheres to a self-imposed rule of abandoning any premature conclusions or themes, allowing the drawings to unfold organically. Titles often come to Kerry after the major forms have taken shape, providing a final touch that brings cohesion to the artwork.
In Kerry O. Furlani's creative journey, the process itself is as significant as the final outcome, as she navigates the depths of uncertainty to uncover moments of profound authenticity and beauty.
My compulsion to lay down heavy lines with thick sticks of charcoal on large paper satisfies my craving to connect to the earth and to my humanity. Going big with line satisfies my need for physical expression. My work often begins here. In another life I think I was a dancer - or a drummer.🥰 Most of my work begins with my hunger for physical expression. I have never been interested in explaining my work. Never been interested in producing work from my head.✨
