Untitled 2006

(Violin and Bow)

26” x 24” x 4”

Wood, ivory, ebony, graphite on panel.

The difficulty in creating a work of art with a ‘theme’ topic is in maintaining integrity – both that of the artist and that of the subject. 

The fact that the violin is inherently an interesting and beautiful object makes it problematic as a component in a work of art.  I discovered that I had to spend a good deal of time thinking about what a violin is, and what it does, in order to proceed with the task of creating a work that would refer to both myself as the artist and the violin as a unique invention.

All of my work is about redefining things – changing the face and surroundings of something familiar by constructing a quiet, formal environment that invites the viewer to reconsider definitions and relationships.  In this work, the violin remains all but unaltered; it is the setting that is key in creating the work of art.      

Musical harmonies and mathematics are disciplines that depend on one another.  In this sculpture the ivory ruler refers to cadence and divisions of space, the ivory finials on the bow and the body of the violin establish the relationship between the two, and the background of graphite markings serves as a structure that gives movement to a stilled instrument as the new setting creates the possibility that this string-less violin possesses ongoing life.  

Natasha Nicholson

Madison WI   

Natasha Nicholson lives and works in Madison WI