Toasty Feet, acrylic on canvas
Danica Tang
York School | Senior
From classic plays like those of William Shakespeare to modern video games, breaking the fourth wall is a technique widely used in theatre performances, literature, and modern technology-based experiences. Also known as the invisible wall, the fourth wall is between the front view of the stage and the audience. Breaking this wall engages the audience to be a part of the play.
Reflecting on this idea, I realized art’s fourth wall is the canvas.
In my artistic journey, I experimented with breaking the fourth wall by creating eye contact from my subjects to the audience, as well as utilizing first-person perspectives in my compositions and framing. I wish for the audience to feel like they are a part of the painting and have first-hand interaction with the painted subjects.
Adding to this, I also emphasize the mood of each piece by using texture and playing around with creative light sources and colors. Complementary colors can be found in many of my pieces and are used to juxtapose lights and shadows. Also, I enjoy painting with many different textures to offer an extra layer of information and a fuller experience for my audience.