For about 600 years artists have used canvas as their base for painting instead of working
directly on the wall or on a wood panel. This change was especially because canvas could be
rolled up and easily transported around the world. Throughout the years canvas has become a
material of consistency for artists’ markings. During the 19 th century, Cezanne called his use of
areas of raw canvas unpainted in his work “in reserve”. Cezanne’s influence grew into the work
of the Analytic Cubists, and also in paintings, in the later part of the 20 th Century. Today, abstract
painters have given raw canvas an increasingly more prominent roll.
Around 1969, while an artist in college and later graduate school, I began to make canvas the
subject of my paintings. Since then, I have consistently formed my own singular path. I have
increased my understanding of canvas and it’s objecthood both within the artworld and my
own personal history. Today, I use raw canvas as the sole architectural material of my abstract
paintings. I have learned of its properties: it’s many different weights, textures, colors, and
different manufacturers. For me, raw canvas with its own inherent color is complete and has no
need for metaphors.
My work has taken me on several inquisitive directions as I continue to develop my language. I
hope to learn as much as I can about my paintings and the history of abstract painting.
Edward (Bud) Shalala
2026