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The collection comprises sixteen remarkable paintings, including four that represent the classical elements—earth, fire, water, and air—and twelve depicting the signs of the zodiac.
Rivers offers a visual compendium of the cosmos, with each work presenting a swirling vortex of vivid colour, dynamic gestures, and richly textured paint.
Rivers’ mastery of oil paint is evident in his ability to create both subtle and striking contrasts. He employs fluid sweeps and strokes to craft bold, opaque colours that interplay with delicate, glass-like glazes.
The layered textures of caked impasto catch the light and create an illusion of depth, while clusters of marks spread across earthy washes evoke cosmic events such as explosions and eruptions.
His use of a vibrant colour palette, featuring cerulean blues, deep violets, and warm crimson tones, further enhances the sense of energy in each painting.
A notable addition to his technique in “UNIVERSAL” is the incorporation of metal leaf—copper, silver, gold, and platinum—scattered across the canvas, mimicking the shimmering expanse of the night sky.
The zodiac has been a recurring theme in art since medieval and Renaissance times, often representing a human attempt to impose order on the vastness of the universe.
Rivers taps into this tradition, reflecting on the mystical allure of the stars while providing a structured narrative through the zodiac.
His works balance the sublime beauty and daunting complexity of space with the familiar patterns of astrology.
With “UNIVERSAL,” Rivers invites viewers to delve into a world of transformation and transcendence.
His creative process deconstructs and reassembles the elements of the cosmos, offering a meditation on the mysteries of the universe through his bold and immersive artistry.
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself”
