The LINEA Collection
- jakemerin
- Mar 8
- 2 min read
Decades of Textural Evolution
Almost Twenty Three years ago, a single line sparked a shift in perspective. What began as an exploration of form evolved into the Linea Collection, a definitive body of work that challenges the boundaries between two-dimensional painting and sculptural relief. This year, we commemorate over 2 decades of the collection’s inception - a journey defined by the rhythmic beauty of "textural lines in abstract formations."
The Linea Collection was born from a desire to move beyond the flat surface. By utilizing makeshift tools - from repurposed construction implements to hand-carved instruments - the focus shifted from "painting a line" to "sculpting a pattern." These tools allowed for a visceral interaction with the medium, creating ridges, grooves, and peaks that catch the light and change with the viewer's position.
Movements in a Theme
While the line is the protagonist, it speaks in different dialects across the four core series showcased in the landmark exhibition, Beyond the Lines
Alternating Currents: Dynamic, rhythmic surges capturing the pulse of energy and the flow of invisible forces. Initial series of the collection.
Vertical Horizons: Upward, structural striations that play on perspective, turning the traditional horizon line on its head.
Intermezzo: Fluid, transitional gestures exploring the "space between" and the pauses in a visual narrative.
Beyond the Lines: Layered, complex intersections pushing the physical limits of the medium until the lines transcend their own edges.
Beyond Abstraction
Perhaps the most profound legacy of this collection is how it has informed my current creative path. These textural experiments have become the "Lineament" of my portraiture works.
The same ridges and furrows once used to define abstract space now provide the structural foundation for the human face. By applying the "Linea" DNA to portraiture, the lines act as more than just features; they become the contours of character and the physical ground of the soul. The abstract has found its way into the figurative, proving that the line is a timeless, evolving language.
"The line is no longer just a mark; it is a boundary, a ridge, and a witness to the movement of the hand."
Years of Influence
Looking back over two decades, the Linea Collection remains a testament to the power of a simple element pushed to its extreme. I invite you to see these textural lines in motion, revealing the tactile soul of the series that continues to shape my artistic identity today.
The Linea Collection
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