Pisces (1985) was a pivotal piece. It incorporates the Pisces symbol into the composition, and is not a narrative work in any way. Its vibrancy comes about due to the use of spirals and patterning—and it built on my discovering that creating lines with different sized pen widths added a perceptual musicality. This discovery is discussed on The First (Pisces) page.
Strikingly more holistic than The First (Pisces), in this Pisces the perceptual contrast and geometric abstraction stand out. Formal elements define the composition. Its emphasis is on a visual syntax that is based on systems, grids, and perceptual engagement rather than symbolic storytelling.
Pisces (1985) was the final piece of the Astrology Series (1981-1985). In this series of twelve works, one for each sign, each astrological symbol was used as the starting point for a compositional design. As the series developed, the early pieces are dense with black and white texture. This began to appear a bit rigid and overbearing, which led to a yearning for more less texture and more musicality and moved my ever-evolving process in other directions.
Good examples of new directions include the airbrush and template pieces of the 1990s that included experimentation with papers of different textures and layering/transparency. Color studies, such as the Space Study pieces of the early 2000s, also offer examples of later approaches. Later monochromatic works show other paths as well.
Amy Ione
Title: Pisces
Date: 1985
Medium: Ink on paper
Dimensions: estimated: 30×24 inches
Signed:
Catalog Number: RH
This work is in a private collection
Conceptually, this piece is similar to CDUB (2017), available here.