Experimental artwork made from a broken canvas
For ages, I had a torn canvas sitting around in my art studio, staring at me like it was waiting for a decision - either fix it or toss it out. But because of my indecisiveness, it just stayed there, collecting dust. Then one day, inspiration hit me, and I realized there was a third option…
The result of that epiphany is an experimental artwork I've named ‘Holding On’ which captures the tension and fragility of existence.
The Idea
My original plan for the artwork was to create some extra intentional cuts in the white fabric, giving it a stretched and torn appearance. On the remaining fabric, I envisioned doodles clinging desperately to the fraying edges, as if barely holding on.
The result would be a dramatic visual effect, making the artwork appear as though it were on the verge of ripping apart!
But I didn’t want to stop there... To intensify the visual impact, I wanted to add extra strips of fabric to the back of the canvas and enhance the framework with two additional crossed wooden beams.
Below is a sketch to help visualize the concept I’ve described.
Building A Prototype
Before committing to the full-scale project, I decided to test my idea on a smaller scale. Using paper and cardboard, I created a prototype that allowed me to explore how all the pieces of the puzzle would work together.
After completing the prototype, my enthusiasm really sparked. The dramatic effect of the torn fabric and the underlying frame was exactly what I had envisioned.
A Moment Of Doubt
With the prototype a success, I was eager to start on the main canvas. But as excited as I was about this project, I had to temper my enthusiasm with a significant concern:
A canvas is essentially a piece of white fabric stretched tightly around a wooden frame. This tension is what keeps the canvas flat and smooth, making it a perfect surface for painting. However, by making additional cuts in the fabric, I risked disrupting this tension. It could start to sag, warp, or look "wonky," potentially ruining the entire piece.
This project felt like a real gamble…
Risking It All
before I could confront the doubts gnawing at the back of my mind, there was one more task that required my attention: painting the doodles.
I must admit, every brushstroke carried the painful realization that all this work could be undone in an instant. But there was no turning back. And after four intense days, the time had finally come. The doodles were complete, and the moment I had been dreading was upon me. It was time to make the cuts.
This was the nerve-wracking climax of the entire project:
With a deep breath and a slow, deliberate approach, I made the first cut. The sound of the fabric tearing was like a jolt to my senses, a mix of fear and anticipation surging through me. But as the first section came away, to my relief, the canvas held firm.
Encouraged, I continued, cut after cut, section by section.
Finally, I stepped back, holding my breath, half-expecting the entire canvas to collapse under the strain… But to my immense relief: it stood strong.
The cuts, far from ruining the piece, breathed new life into it in ways I hadn’t fully anticipated. The tension I had feared would destroy the artwork instead infused it with the very emotions I had hoped to convey - fragility and resilience, perfectly intertwined.
The artwork was complete. The risk had paid off :)
Final Words
In the end, I made some adjustments from the original plan. I chose to leave out the crossed beams and extra strips on the back. They felt unnecessary and detracted from the simplicity of the piece. Surprisingly, I found that I preferred the artwork when it was displayed vertically rather than horizontally.
‘Holding On’ turned out to be a resounding success. What began as a broken, forgotten canvas destined for the trash was transformed into a striking piece of art that I’m proud to display :)
