Every artist knows how much the material on which the work is created means to the experience of creation. It is a completely different feeling to paint on white fabric or on natural plywood, already full of patterns and shapes.
Plywood as a base material has been used in Pajos’s paintings throughout his time as an artist. Although he has used it very sporadically, he still calls it his favourite material.
“I consciously stopped painting on canvas a few years ago, when I started experimenting with the possibilities of fire and tree cooperation. Of course, these are not equal partners: the wood does not have the slightest chance against fire. As a cautious negotiator, I try to tame the stronger party to avoid total chaos,“ the artist’s explain.
It was the artist’s practice to make preparatory sketches before starting paintings on burnt plywood boards. Pajos used to plan the compositions of his artworks quite precisely before starting to paint. However, he always understood that the process of painting
is just as important as the result. Surprises from the material during the work process and at the end are what give the artist special pleasure and excitement.
Pajos continues: “By burning wooden boards, I have almost completely given up planning paintings. I found that the paintings started to compose themselves. Some of the images that emerged from the heat are so disturbingly obvious and aggressive that it seems impossible to ignore them. It’s like giving away part of your artistic freedom.”
Priit Pajos (b. 1971) is a painter and curator. He graduated from the painting department of the University of Tartu in 1998. He is a member of the artist group Kursi Koolkond.
