As part of an experimental project to combine visual arts and performing arts, New Orleans-based visual artist Heather Hansen has created a series of large scale charcoal paintings titled Emptied Gestures. Instead of using a brush or other tools, Hansen utilizes her well coordinated body movements to create breathtaking charcoal paintings which are often symmetrically drawn designs.
The idea for the series ‘Emptied Gestures’ was sparked on a trip to the beach. Whilst dancing on the beach she noticed that the lines carved in the sand by her turns had an interesting quality. “Emptied Gestures is an experiment in kinetic drawing. In this series, I am searching for ways to download my movement directly onto paper, emptying gestures from one form to another and creating something new in the process.” explains Heather Hansen.
The entire process has been documented by photographer Bryan Tarnowski who captures Hansen’s artistic body movements in the video below.
Photography by Bryan Tarnowski