New work in progress

Mixed media on canvas, 200x200mm

'The Infinite Smallness of Being', all ready and waiting.

Thank you David Lupton for taking these photos.

New work, 2018: An Atom in the Universe

'Mountains of Molecules'

'No life to Entertain'

'Tortured by Energy'

'A New Dance Starts'

'A Pattern ever more Intricate'

'Matter with Curiosity'

'An Atom in the Universe'

The idea that the atoms we are made of have consciousness and curiosity which enables us to wonder about our place in the universe is the theme of this series of seven small diptychs. The poem ‘An Atom in the Universe’  by Theoretical Physicist Richard Feynman (Poem and link below) provided the inspiration and the titles of the works.  I first heard about Richard Feynman at the superb Science Show presented by Prof Brian Cox and British comedian, Robin Ince, in Wellington last year.

Media: oil paint, wax medium, sand, ash, marble dust, collage on acrylic emulsion on board.  Size: 440x290mm 

The Exhibition opens Friday 13th at  5-7pm and will run until August 1st at

Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts   Contact Stuart Schwartz    finearts@taylor-jensen.co.nz  06 3554278
or me at  raemonrolfe@xtra.co.nz

An Atom in the Universe

By Richard P. Feynman

There are the rushing waves 
mountains of molecules 
each stupidly minding its own business 
trillions apart 
yet forming white surf in unison. 

Ages on ages 
before any eyes could see 
year after year 
thunderously pounding the shore as now. 
For whom, for what? 
On a dead planet 
with no life to entertain. 

Never at rest 
tortured by energy 
wasted prodigiously by the sun 
poured into space 
A mite makes the sea roar. 

Deep in the sea 
all molecules repeat 
the patterns of one another 
till complex new ones are formed. 
They make others like themselves 
and a new dance starts. 

Growing in size and complexity 
living things 
masses of atoms 
DNA, protein 
dancing a pattern ever more intricate. 

Out of the cradle 
onto dry land 
here it is 
standing: 
atoms with consciousness; 
matter with curiosity. 

Stands at the sea, 
wonders at wondering: I 
a universe of atoms 
an atom in the universe.

Recent work: Unseen Processes

Unseen No.1     2017
Oil paint with cold wax medium and other media on board
750x550mm plus frame

Unseen No.2       2017
Oil paint with cold wax medium and other media on board
750x550mm plus frame

The processes that occur in the universe at the smallest end of the scale have been a continuing source of inspiration for me.  In his book of poems ‘On the Nature of things’,  Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius Carus wrote in c90BC that ‘nature ever by unseen processes works’. He was referring to the theories of the ancient Greek atomists 500 years before that, who believed that all matter was made of atoms or indivisible particles.   

In modern particle physics, the uncertain world of quantum mechanics explains how all matter and energy in the universe behaves on an atomic and subatomic level.  

Light, Time and Space        2017/18
Oil paint with cold wax medium and other media on board
750x550mm plus frame

To make these works I’ve used oil paint mixed with wax medium and incorporated particles of materials such as sand, ash and marble dust to build up textures as well as add meaning.  

Many thanks to David Lupton for taking such great photos of my work.

'Beach Days' new work for Manawatu Art and Garden Trail, January 20-21 2018

Waikanae with Rain
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, sand, 
metal patina & gold leaf

Plimmerton Heads: Late Afternoon
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, metal patina and gold leaf

Waikanae: Sun setting over Kapiti Island
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with metal patina & gold leaf

Waikanae, Late Afternoon
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, sand, 
metal patina & gold leaf

Waikanae Beach: Passing Shower
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, sand, metal patina & gold leaf

Kapiti Coast Looking South
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting,
metal patina & gold leaf

Raumati Beach: Setting Sun
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting,
metal patinas & gold leaf

Foxton Beach with Kapiti Island
Oil paint, cold wax and marble dust on board & frame, with polymer casting, sand, 
metal patina & gold leaf

Beach holidays over several years provided the imagery for this series of small mixed media works.  Gazing at the sea and contemplating my place in the universe was the underlying motivation.  I like the way Amercian physicist, Richard Feynman, put it in the last verse of his poem  'Atoms With Consciouness, Matter With Curiosity'.

Stands at the sea, 
wonders at wondering: I
a universe of atoms
an atom in the universe.

Foxton Heads: From the Boat Ramp No.2
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Palm Beach, Waiheke Island: morning after a storm
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Crossing Hauraki Gulf
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board.   140x190mm     SOLD

Foxton Heads: From the Boat Ramp No. 1
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Waikanae with Sun Setting over Kapiti No. 1
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm           SOLD

Paekakariki: Late Afternoon
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm             SOLD

Foxton Beach: Afternoon
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Waikanae: Sun Setting over Kapiti Island  No. 2
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm 

Raumati with Passing Shower
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

Cloud, Land and Sea
Encaustic and oil paint with polymer casting, on board,  140x190mm

My gallery will be open from 10.00am to 4.00pm both days.  Tickets for the Art Trail are available from FADAS, Feilding
You are welcome to visit my gallery any time by appoinment.    phone