Space Topics: Postcards from Venus
Honorable Mention
Adult Category
Across Aphrodite Terra|
Sara Cross
 UK
Cross says: "Scientific subjects frequently inspire my work. I am a science
writer and editor with an academic background in zoology, and a passionate
interest in other scientific disciplines. Hence I have access to a wealth of
research material that I often use as inspiration for artwork and photographic
images.
"The title of the painting is Across Aphrodite Terra, after the region
found along the planet’s equator. I wanted to capture an image of Venus,
inspired by my reading around the subject. The planet is bounded by thick clouds
that absorb ultraviolet radiation. It has a dense, carbon dioxide-rich, and
corrosive atmosphere. Here the Sun’s rays are trapped resulting in a
very hot, dry climate. The fissured surface has been shaped by high surface
temperatures, volcanic activity and wind erosion. Yet scientists think that,
once, Venus had a cooler climate and oceans. Researchers describe Aphrodite
Terra as being a region with rift valleys and spreading ridges, similar to
those found on ocean beds. The information we have conjures up a marvelous
image of a landscape that I wanted to depict with vibrant hues and inviting
textures. Venus is at once both alien and familiar -- hardly surprising for
the planet that has been called Earth’s twin. As I painted
I took a mental journey through this area, envisioning fractured oceans beds
and eroded rift valleys in a blaze of intense heat.
"I chose to use wax and pastels for this image, using encaustic techniques,
my preferred approach to subject matters such as this. The painting was achieved
by layering translucent, pigmented, molten waxes and warmed oil pastels with
heated implements on a reflective white surface. These layers were fused together
and smoothed so that the depth and texture of the painting comes from layering." |
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