Counterfeit
Paintings, prints, and mixed media exploring originality and repetition in art-making by Candice Black.
Counterfeit.
Adjective.
UK /ˈkaʊn.tə.fɪt/
Made to look like the original of something, usually for dishonest or illegal purposes.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Candice Black is a visual artist and writer from Wales. As a mixed-race, disabled, female artist she is inspired by creativity, empowerment, and the human spirit. Art-making and the creative process has served as a life line through challenging experiences. She has created artwork that is experimental, capturing experiences of trauma, the somatic, and hope.
Aiming to create artworks that are authentic, the creative process has brought up questions of originality for the artist. As motifs, ideas, and techniques are repeated, she has explored how new artworks are formed.
Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, she is aware of the legacy of postmodernism. Postmodernism proposes that we are all under the influence of media, artifacts, and symbology which in turn are nothing new, and so the concept of originality is a myth.
Creating authentic artworks is then the challenge. Counterfeit suggests that the creative journey does take influence from other artists and the wider world. However, through experimentation, art-making can result in unique works of art. Through awareness and intention, art can reflect the journey the artist has been on, which is the authentic experience. In choosing to communicate this, art-making becomes a creative practice that empowers the human spirit.
Accessibility
‘Booze and Shoes,’ is an acrylic painting on canvas measuring 51 CM X 76 CM. The painting is of a pair of pink shoes with large 6 inch heels that sits on a blue surface at the foreground. In the background are three gold drink cans with a white label. The objects are outlined in black paint, thick brush strokes.
Accessibility
‘Loyalty and Betrayal,’ Diptych are two acrylic and spray paint on canvas paintings measuring 51 CM by 76 CM each. On the left, a nude male figure stands with a triangular symbol in his right hand that contains smaller circular and triangular shapes. He has a moon shaped hat. He is outlined in thick blue brushstrokes. The background is painted yellow.
On the right, a nude female figure stands with a circular symbol in her hand. It contains triangular and circular shapes. Inside, the symbols are spray painted in black and white, alternating. The background is red. The symbols face each other and the two figures face each other.
Accessibility
‘The Conversation,’ Triptych 2023 are acrylic paintings on canvas measuring 41 CM by 51 CM. The first painting is of a female figure painted black with a thick pink outline. She has wavy hair. She looks at the figure in painting #2. The background is sky blue.
Painting #2 is of a female figure painted with sky blue paint with a thick black outline. She is looking at the viewer from a profile position facing the figure. In painting #1 The background is pink.
Painting #3 is of a male figure painted pink with a sky blue thick outline. He has short hair. He looks face on at the viewer. The background of the painting is black.
Accessibility
‘All Nighter Triptych,’ 2024, are three acrylic paintings measuring 41 Cm by 51 CM. The first painting has a black background, yellow textured paint, stripes of white paint that run vertically, overlaid by 9 red discs of solid colour arranged three in a row.
The second painting has a black background, primary blue textured paint, stripes of white paint that run vertically and 9 yellow discs of solid colour are arranged three in a row.
The third painting has a black background, red textured paint, stripes of white paint that run vertically and is overlaid with 9 blue discs of solid colour arranged three in a row.
Accessibility
‘Bound,’ Series Part 1, 2024, is a mixed media on canvas measuring 25.5 CM by 30.5 CM. It features a central female dancing figure outlined in red back stitch against a black background. Red threads emanate from the figure and extend beyond the canvas as loose threads. The canvas is spray painted white in the top left corner and a Navy blue stencilled symbol also sits in the top left corner where blue threads extends to the central figure.
‘Bound,’ Series Part 2, 2024, is a mixed media on canvas measuring 25.5 CM by 30.5 CM. It features a central dancing figure outlined in red back stitch where the single threads emanate from to the edge of the canvas. The background is painted black. A large blue pattern symbol sits in the bottom left corner and overlaps the figure. The canvas is spray painted white in the top right corner and has dribbled down the canvas.
‘Bound,’ Series Part 3, 2024, is a mixed media on canvas measuring 22.8 by 30.5 CM. A central dancing figure outlined in sky blue thread back stitch has single threads that crisscross the body. A photograph of a town square is visible. The background is painted black. White spray paint has been applied to the top left corner. A white pattern symbol has been stencilled into the bottom right corner.
‘Bound,’ Series Part 4, 2024, is a mixed media on canvas measuring 22.8 CM by 30.5 CM. A self-portrait of the artist is created with red stitched thread that cris crosses the canvas and blue threads that define the eyes. A single hand is visible. The canvas is painted with swathes of blue and black paint.
‘Bound,’ Series Part 5, 2024, is a mixed media on canvas measuring 22.8 CM by 30.5 CM. A photograph of a rose in black and white is stitched in red thread at the outline. The edges of the canvas are painted with red acrylic.
Accessibility
‘Found,’ 2023, is a textiles artwork measuring 41 centimetres by 51 centimetres. Sky blue paint has been applied with a sponge to calico. Black branches with pink blossoms extend to the left in the top of the artwork and extend to the right at the bottom. They are painted in textiles paint. In the centre are the words and there at the edge defined, I found myself stencilled in black paint.
Accessibility
‘Mint Madness,’ 2024, is a mixed media on canvas measuring 51 centimetres by 76 centimetres. Photocopied drawings of Queen Elizabeth 10 LB notes are plastered to the canvas, painted with a red wash of acrylic and the words Mint Madness are painted over the canvas in black and white brush strokes.
Accessibility
‘Sex Not Threats,’ 2023, is an acrylic painting on canvas measuring 22.5 CM by 31 CM. Red and black paints swirl across a yellow canvas.
Accessibility
‘Callous Concern,’ 2023, is an acrylic painting on canvas measuring 22.5 CM by 31 CM. Blue and black paint blend in rivers across a yellow canvas.
Accessibility
‘Burning Inside,’ 2022, is an acrylic painting on canvas measuring 47 CM by 57 CM. A nude female figure sits clutching her knees. She is outlined in thick blue brush strokes. Her body is painted with red and yellow textures. The background is painted red.
Accessibility
‘You Me Down Under,’ 2024, is a series of six lino prints on paper measuring 25 CM by 33.5 CM. Print one is of a red sun on yellow paper. Print 2 is of two blue birds facing each other diagonally on red paper. Print 3 is of two yellow coiled snakes on blue paper. Print 4 is of two blue birds facing each other on yellow paper. Print 5 is of two yellow coiled snakes on red paper. Print 6 is of a red sun on blue paper.
Accessibility
‘What’s Your Poison?’ 2023, is a lino print on paper measuring 25 CM by 33.5 CM. A black printed skull sits to the bottom right of the print. In the foreground behind it sits a black empty martini glass with cocktail stick and olive. Black is printed on white paper.
Accessibility
‘Go Crazy,’ 2023, is a lino print on paper measuring 25 CM by 33.5 CM. A dancing female figure is wearing high heels, a polka dot dress and big hair. She has a bottle of alcohol and her left arm is extended up in the air. She has an expressive face. Black ink is printed on white paper.
Accessibility
‘Peace,’ Diptych, 2024, is an acrylic painting on canvas measuring 30 by 20 CM. The two paintings are landscape orientated. The first is painted sky blue with the words ‘As a child I dreamed of World Peace’ in white paint with rough brushstrokes. The second painting is painted sky blue with the words ‘I Still Dream of Peace’ in black paint with rough brushstrokes.
Accessibility
‘Phenomenon,’ 2023, is an acrylic painting on canvas measuring 61 CM by 71 CM. A large seated nude female figure fills the canvas. She is outlined in thick blue brushstrokes. Her figure is painted with red and yellow textured paint. An eclipse is spray painted over her abdomen with a black moon and white corona. Her hair spreads out to the size of the canvas. The background is painted red.
