Islamic Art – Andrew Reach

September 2, 2020September 27, 2020

New Artwork – Octo Astra II

click image to enlarge image (except mobile devices)

Octo Astra II, 2020
uv cured inkjet on cut-out composite aluminum
edition of 3, dimensions variable (overall dimension 48″ x 48″)

This work is inspired by Islamic art in my own modern way. It is constructed with nine rings of eight Khatim-Sulayman stars. Khatim-Sulayman stars are eight pointed stars that first began to appear in Islamic art in the middle ages. Khatim-Sulayan means “seal of the prophets” and are known to denote life, from birth to death. The eight pointed stars would continue to appear symbolically in spiritual traditions in many cultures around the world through history.

Here, each star is constructed with eight kites. When put together, the eight kites inscribe another eight pointed star in its center. Inscribed within this ring of eight, eight pointed stars, is a large eight pointed star with an octagon at its center. Also, inscribed in the interstitial spaces between the nine rings are four more large eight pointed stars and octagons.

June 29, 2020March 12, 2021

Video – Cutting on CNC Router of Hexalarious II

Multicam 3000 CNC Router cutting out Hexalarious II
(Video courtesy Vista Color Imaging)

Printing on rigid substrates opens up a new avenue of exploration in my work by allowing my geometric constructs to expand beyond the confines of square and rectangular formats with use of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Router that can cut the substrate panel to my specifications.

Hexalarious II is printed on a composite aluminum panel. All the white areas will be cut out by the router. The cutting accuracy is precise which is necessary because of the precision of the geometry. Stand-offs will be put behind to hang and float off the wall.

I want to thank Kim and Scott and the rest of the team at Vista Color Imaging. They have been great to work with, taking extra care to ensure a great final print.

Fabrication of this artwork is made possible with an ADAP grant from the Ohio Arts Council.

The following is from my grant application, titled “The Shape of Things to Come”:

With this grant, I will create 4 artworks, printed on rigid substrates as opposed to media of the traditional digital print (paper/canvas). Printing on rigid substrates opens up a new avenue of exploration in my work by allowing my geometric constructs to expand beyond the confines of square and rectangular formats with use of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Router that can cut the substrate panel to my specifications.

ADAP (Artists With Disabilities Access Program) provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities—and organizations that serve them—the resources they need to further their artistic development. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career.

click here to visit the Ohio Arts Council website

June 28, 2020August 11, 2020

Video – UV Curing Inkjet Printing of Hexalarious II

EFI VUTEk GS3250 LX uv curing inkjet printer, printing Hexalarious II on dibond composite aluminum panel.

Printed on a rigid substrate, dibond composite aluminum panel, it will next be cut-out on a cnc router. All the white areas will be cut away. Aluminum stand-offs will be put behind to hang and float off a wall.

Printing on rigid substrates opens up a new avenue of exploration in my work by allowing my geometric constructs to expand beyond the confines of square and rectangular formats with use of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Router that can cut the substrate panel to my specifications.

I want to thank Kim and Scott and the rest of the team at Vista Color Imaging. They have been great to work with, taking extra care to ensure a great final print. The video was provided by Vista Color Imaging.

Fabrication of this artwork is made possible with an ADAP grant from the Ohio Arts Council.

Per the Ohio Arts Council ArtsOhio Blog:

ADAP (Artists With Disabilities Access Program) provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities—and organizations that serve them—the resources they need to further their artistic development. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career