art > 2D ART

Janus Gods is a painting by Zehra Khan, acrylic on cut sandpaper, 54 x 62", 2015. Created by sketching the profile shadows of artists and writers at the Vermont Studio Center. #silhouettes #zehrakhan I create sculpture and installations out of paper and c
Janus Gods
drawing: acrylic paint on sandpaper, cut to shape
54 x 62”
2015

In the 18th century 'candle silhouettes' were a popular form of portraiture because they could be drawn in one sitting and were therefor affordable. A single candle was used to cast a shadow of the sitter's profile in silhouette.

I used this method of single source light to sketch the silhouettes of some writers and artists I met at the Vermont Studio Center.

The God Janus is depicted with two faces to look to the future and to the past simultaneously.

Images of the process here.