Exploring The Elements

Throughout history, Artists have found inspiration from the four elements of nature; Air, Earth, Fire and Water. The exploration of these elements has been a recurring theme, reflecting humanity's deep connection to the natural world dating back to ancient civilizations and throughout the evolvement of contemporary art movements. Let’s a take a little dive into some examples...

Air
Often associated with freedom, movement and spirituality. The ancient Greeks depicted their mythical Gods such as Aeolus (Keeper of the Winds) and Nike (Goddess of Victory) with billowing hair and flowing robes to symbolise the ethereal qualities of air.

 Skip ahead to the Renaissance period, specifically Leonardo Di Vinci who famously sought to capture the movements of air in his artwork. From his sketches of flying machines to his studies of bird flight, which by the way are still highly regarded as the physics of a birds soaring technique. Honestly, what fascinating man he was.

The exploration of Air in modern art is conceptualized in various ways. It’s more abstract form can be seen in paintings like the one we have pictured by Peter Lanyon which was inspired by his love of gliding. Many Installation art series also use light and space to evoke a sense of openness and transcendence evoked from Air.

Water
We think of water having fluidity, life and renewal. It is one of the most reoccurring motifs used in art across the centuries (Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave, anyone?) Ancient civilizations hailed water as source of life and has been heavily depicted in myths, rituals and sacred art.

It was during the the Impressionist movement that using loose brushstrokes and vibrant colours to convey shimmering and reflected surfaces was perfected. Artist like Claude Monet sought to capture the ever changing qualities of water in their work.

In contemporary art water has been explored from an environmental and social issue stance. Maya Lin is an artist who uses her creations to raise awareness address environmental decline. It’s safe to say that this subject is one artists will continue to find room for creative expression, exploring their physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions through a variety of medium – both literally and figuratively. If you could pick any element, what would you choose?

Earth
Used to represent stability, fertility and growth. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Earth was regarded as a symbol of life and creation and can be seen on pottery, sculpture and of course their famous architecture.

The Romantic Era saw artists like Casper David Friedrich and John Constable’s work that celebrated the beauty of the natural world through their rugged landscapes and mesmerising mountain ranges.

In contemporary art Earth is more often explored through the use of a literally using the earth! Land Art is a movement where artist sculpt directly into landscapes or create structures and works using natural materials.

Fire
Viewed as a destructive element with a transformative power. Ancient mythology often depicted fire with the divine, symbolising purification, enlightenment and rebirth.

The Baroque movement certainly encompassed the essence of fire as a painting style, often depicting the most dramatic moment in scenes using deep rich colours with intense light and dark shadows. It purpose was meant to evoke emotion and passion.

Modern and Contemporary art sees both literal and metaphorical interpretations. The artist Steven Spazuk is known for his use of fire with his painting, his reason? Fire has the ability to be “both constructive and destructive force is a constant factor in my creations.”