|
|
I
can be very philosophical about glue. In
many ways my life is about glue. I like to take things apart and
put them back together (but, if the intention is for things to
stay together, then it is very important that they stick and
stay).
For
me, art has always been about process and materiality as much as
it is about concept and creativity, and all my works are
ultimately collages. In terms of how it works, why it works, and
when it doesn't work - why not - the issue comes back to
glue. |
|
|
|
I
began to think about glue when I was a junior in high school, and
learning about chemical valences (the atomic structure of
molecules) and how things get to stick to each other. I was an art
major but was also intrigued with science.
In
college I remember being really upset about a 3D paper project at
Syracuse University (School of Art) because the work totally fell
apart - no doubt because I was using the wrong glue. My professor
didn't care that the glue didn’t hold the project together. But
I cared that everything was a pile of papers on the floor. |
 |
Since
1985 I've devoted myself almost exclusively to collage, which is
2D. (Note: If the work is 3D it’s called assemblage).
I
work with PVA glue. My paper media includes appropriated magazine
papers and hand-made imported papers. I hand-paint and hand-tear
all my collage papers, including the appropriated papers. I love
creating with paper and gluing paper to paper. |
|
Since
1990 I have been using white PVA glue formulated specifically for
paper-to-paper bonding. It will not crack or become brittle in a wide
range of temperatures.
I
know many artists use acrylic medium and even acrylic paint to embed
collage materials. I wouldn't use these products as glues because they
don’t hold up. Things fall off. I know this from early experience.
Glue
factors I consider important are: the glue should be pH neutral, be
flexible, dry clear, be non-toxic, non-yellowing, and not interfere
chemically over time with the collage materials or substrate.
|
 |
In
1996 I took an introductory workshop in PhotoShop® and
learned to build and move images layers, and
"glue" everything down electronically. I have a
lot of fun with digital collage. It’s led to more and more
mixed media in my collage materials.
My
most recent series, titled Cactus (begun in 2001), include
works with recycled monoprints, digital prints, color copied
papers, painted papers, ink, oil, wax, crayon and pencil.
The works are 2D and also layered, intricate, complicated,
unified and lie flat.
For
a free tutorial on my collage process see Painting with Paper. |
Nancy Egol Nikkal, revised Jan 2004.
|
|
|
|
