Tape Artist, Mark Khaisman

Ocassionally when in a drawing funk, a change of medium can help. Picking up a different brush, starting with a splatter or working in texture can cause you to think in a different way and help free up what’s holding you back. A perfect example of exploring an unintended medium, is the artwork of Ukranian born, Mark Khaisman. Working primarily with packing tape (yes, packing tape), he creates images of surprising depth and realism.

My works are large archetypal representational images, made from layer upon layer of translucent packing tape, applied to clear Plexiglas and placed in front of a light box to give the image shadow and depth. I see my tape art as a form of painting. The 2-inch tape acts as a wide brush, and the light behind the panels as an alchemist’s luminous blending medium. In working with tape, like in painting, accident and control are always present.

These taped paintings are a delight, and one can imagine that they look even better in person.

• Mark Khaisman: www.khaismanstudio.com