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IAN KABAT,
ARTIST, WRITER

STATEMENT & BIO

Ian Kabat’s growing career has spanned over many decades. Although an award winning graphic designer and art director by trade, Ian’s real passion lies in the finer arts. Among many creative interests and endeavors, mediums such as watercolor, wood, ceramic and even some bronze work have been explored with great results. But a restlessness ensued.

 

A gradual shift in focus and desire over the past few years has brought Ian into the realm of "Contemporary Realism."
 

Working exclusively in oil, Ian uses a realistic style that mimics photography to the point that his paintings are often mistaken for photos. He loves contrast, obscurity and using negative space in his compositions. Ian’s gifted eye catches timeless fragments of life in his work---whether it’s the intricate lines of the human hand, the delicate folds of a garment, or a thoughtful eye, they are painted in detailed simplicity.

The driving force behind his painting is an enduring interest in the beauty of human nature. It’s an emotional response to an overstimulated, complicated, and demanding world. His work tries to bring a simple calming effect to the eye and mind.

He use simple painting and drawing techniques to bring as much emotion as possible in the most straightforward design. Through lack of color and use of negative space, he relys on the viewer to fill in the blanks, to see what is not there. Informed by a classical style and embracing exaggerated light and boldly simplified or distorted lines. The hard light evokes drama, mood, and emotion. With this, he draws the viewer inward to experience an encounter with the subject. 

The background is just as essential as the white form in my work. The black represents opposing ideas: authority and humility, rebellion, and conformity, while the white brings an experience of restfulness and calm, generating a sense of purity, balance, and harmony. In his work, you are forced to focus on the story of an image without any distractions.

ARTIST BIO

Ian Christopher Kabat is best known for his white-only method of oil painting on a black matte background. With its emphasis on high contrast one light source, Ian uses the negative space as an integrated element of each piece. He uses soft finishes and bright lines to capture the essence with a delicate touch. His work has been described as having a contemporary photo-like quality. Ian once said, “He felt like a silent poet, telling a story with each piece that resulted in a different narrative for every viewer.” A graduate of the School of The Museum of Fine Arts, he is currently located outside of Boston. Ian is a member of multiple organizations and societies, and his work can be found at many locations nationwide.

All proceeds from your purchase go to support a non-profit 501c3 called Give Kids the Arts. You can check out their web site here. 

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