"Working in New York, Sillman’s wayward form of abstraction has pushed defiantly at the process-oriented approaches typically associated with the traditions of post-war painting, infusing her work with a modern sensibility, critical self-reflexivity and humour.
Many of Sillman’s works undergo prolonged periods of gestation during which they are reworked, layered, washed over, scraped back, reoriented, sanded and embellished; ultimately moved from one state to another. This physical and emotional process is inscribed in the accretions of the work’s rendered surfaces; an energy of antagonism resides in forms that remain somehow in flux, feelings that don’t resolve, signs that don’t signify and materials that struggle between construction and deconstruction." cr. camden arts centre
Her 'wayward form of abstraction' inspired me greatly - even though recently I wanted to do more figurative work I can see how you can convey the figure through abstraction as well. I felt more inspired and brave to do bigger and braver brush strokes as she had done. I also like the odd use of colour, as I often struggle with this. Its fascinating how an abstract work can make you feel a sense of unease, but not completely, because you're not totally sure if you're seeing the same imagery as somebody else. This reminds me of the ink blot tests used in psychology. I've been thinking about that idea lately as well, how different imagery means different things for different people.
I also looked at what she exhibited at the Saatchi gallery: https://www.saatchigallery.com/artists/amy_sillman.htm
