A few years ago I attended a workshop in Stockholm with renowned artist Roger Ballen. One of the assignments was to create a still life with objects found at a flea market and elsewhere. For studio we used a torn out concrete building. Mr Ballen emphasised form and composition, in particular the use of repetitious forms and to avoid negative space (significant sections of the frame void of any objects or signs). Also he repeatedly asked the question: “If you were a painter – would you have chosen to include this [object] in your frame?”. I strongly recommend to explore his profoundly psychological works, starting for instance with “Outland“.
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