Saved by surgery from a rare eye condition that almost cost him his sight, artist Bradley Cunningham is now endowed with a unique way of seeing the world. Illustrating visions inspired by his personal experiences, Cunningham’s works are a geometric, mathematical exposition on life.
His utilisation of light and shade is a new addition to his practice, which is defined by symmetry and accuracy. “I am all about the finer details,” says Cunningham. “I enjoy playing with depth perception and combining it with intricate line work.” When hanging a recent show, he noticed how the shadows thrown by his painted etchings created a duplicate work on the wall behind them, enhancing the elements of rhythm and equilibrium that permeate his pieces. This reciprocity between artwork and context added another layer to his designs, expanding them into the third dimension and increasing the gravity of his mark-making.
He is increasingly experimenting with light: “By using distance, angle and intensity of the light source, I can create such variety in the shadow – that’s art in itself.” Transforming the installation of a work into an extension of the work, Cunningham has reached a new chapter in his aesthetic evolution. The play of light and shadow aids him in expressing something more than the physicality of his art, multiplying the structural specificity of his visions.
Featured image: Bradley Cunningham, Mindfunction, 2021. Etched and painted, 63 x 46cm.Courtesy: the artist.