The collages of Austin Veldman are compositions which chiefly demonstrate and an idea of color theory and shape to represent elements of the human experience in the abstract. Strips of paper are ripped individually and placed upon a base layer of of white or black paper. No part of the canvas is ever showing. These layers of paper not only create a texture for the pieces that is very pronounced when viewing in person, but a intricacy and feeling of detail that is both deliberate and also liberating—the pieces have a freedom in their composition which might appear random. But upon closer inspection, “areas” of the collages become smaller pieces of art within the larger piece. The result is work that, while beginning in tangible fragments, is assembled into one piece. This mirroring of the human self makes the pieces intimate despite their apparent abstraction. We feel an emotional connection to the piece in the moment of viewing. Stand back and the whole is clear. Stand closer, and the parts reveal themselves in their individuality.

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