Stephen Knapp is known for his light paintings. Knapp uses light and the way light shines through glass to creature sculptural elements on walls that resemble paintings. The three dimensional pieces, also work flawlessly in 2D and look amazing when photographed; I'd love to shoot his work. There are so many potential angles to shoot the pieces from. Every direction offers new angles, new color combinations and more geometry. Knapp's work varies in scale from the size of a mantle, in his commissioned work, to taking up the side of a building, ex: 23'x40'x1'. His range is incredible. In one piece, there is only one light source illuminating the work and the result does not look any more minimal than the others. The minimalist aspect of this is great, Knapp uses only 3 materials..glass, steel and light. And truly, this is the purest color source possible, it is pure color and light.
Observing the way Knapp can literally paint with light and color is truly inspiring. I have tried my hand at painting on several occasions and always seem to fall short of the effect I strive for. Stephen Knapp has accomplished painterly shapes using only light, glass and stainless steel. It's absolutely amazing. The wording of his statement clearly shows the imagination of the artist that has been involved in this process.
Excerpt from Knapp's Artist Statement on the subject of his "lightpaintings:"
"Out of these processes and materials have come lightpaintings, in which I separate white light into pure color and paint with light. Each piece has a presence that far exceeds its physical dimensions. Stainless steel grounds the surface and its reflections ground the planes of light.
Glass allows me to manipulate and explore light and illusion, creating pure colors. I revel in their purity, their breathtaking richness – yet I am most drawn to the edges and the soft shadows that overlay a whisper of color and the borders that define space. It is here that mystery and depth and wonder can be found.
Dreams and imagination command much of our lives when we are young, yet time and society move us into structures that leave little time for them. In lightpaintings I strive to create destinations, small pieces of wonder, places for introspection and meditation where hopes, dreams and aspirations are possible
Entering a lightpainting or any work of art invokes a conditional promise to do so with open eyes, to be aware of possibilities. Perception and interaction lead to an act of mutual discovery, a universal bond of our existence. There is no right answer hidden within each piece, only a shared journey."
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