Name: Eric Barth
Statement: The painter is provided a limited arsenal from which to create. By manipulating color, form and tone, and by contrasting these basic elements, images are brought into being. From within these constraints, one embarks on a progression towards clarity. What may start as a few simple marks on the paper slowly takes the form of something that becomes recognizable. This clarity grows, not just within one painting, but from that painting to the next. When starting on my pictures, I often have no specific destination. Often, I'll reference a photo when beginning work on a new painting. Much like Walter Launt Palmer, who used photographs extensively, I draw details from the photo, but the overall mood comes from elsewhere. Eventually the photograph is put away and the outcome of the painting gradually determines itself. By applying a single area of color, that path can change. The painting's outcome depends equally on what is put down on the paper as what is removed. I will scrape away areas, or often entire paintings. This act of reduction is so liberating- to wipe away all the previous efforts and be reminded again of those first few simple, innocent marks. This act can repeat itself numerous times over the course of a painting, with those reductions becoming more refined. Sometimes that journey from bare surface to final composition takes years. The decision on whether a painting is complete, or as Philip Guston said, When I know I've come out the other side, is one that requires strong consideration- has clarity been found, if even for a brief moment?
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority today owns the largest contemporary collection of local art in central Ohio. All of the pieces are on display in the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the Hilton Columbus Downtown and the three Convention Center parking garages. The collection is the result of a communitywide call for art, overseen by a committee of community members and implemented by collection curators James and Michael Reese of Reese Brothers Productions. The artists represent the diversity of the Columbus community, cutting across age, gender and race.
Made: 2016
Installed: 2016
Near A 226
400 N. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Franklin County
Venue Website
Oil pastel and soft pastel on paper over panel
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.
Taking images of public art works and sharing your experiences is one of the most fun reasons to engage with public art. As a community, we care deeply about the artists who have contributed the artworks we enjoy every day. Please be sure to credit artists when you share your photos. If you have an interest in using public artwork present in this database for commercial purposes, please contact Jami Goldstein at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Taking your own images of public artwork does not release you from the responsibility of artist credit and/or compensation.
This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
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