Transient Patterns of Colour, Light and Shade

A series of wall panels by Chris Wood are on view at the Sharjah Art Museum as part of the 18th Islamic Arts Festival in Sharjah.

Islamic Arts Festival launched on December 16, 2015 at the Sharjah Art Museum and was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. See the opening HERE.

Chris Wood created a series of wall panels with optical projections which manipulate light in different ways to create transient patterns of colour, light and shade that change with the angle and intensity of light. In her work titled 'Crystals' she uses Swarovski crystals to create visually intriguing game of light and shadow. Other wall panels include: 'Deflect II', 'Tendrilla', 'Irdieden' and 'Trig'. In the light-based installation 'Light Rain' Wood uses different illuminated bottles that create an interesting pattern on the floor. She explains her art by saying, "my work is a continual exploration of light and it never fails to surprise me."

Chris Wood, Installation view / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Crystals, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Crystals, detail, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Deflect II, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Deflect II, detail, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Irdieden 2, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Irdieden 2, detail, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Tendrilla, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood, Tendrilla, detail, 2015 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Chris Wood studied furniture design at Middlesex University and her interest in light led her to explore the physical and visual qualities of glass. She studied Glass at the Royal College of Art, where she worked on architectural scale projects dealing with issues of light and space. Glass is a material which allows Wood to exploit the aesthetic potential of Light. Minimal structures in simple arrangements interact with light to create complex patterns of light and shade that change depending upon the position of the viewer and the angle of the light source.

The Festival is hosting 43 exhibitions, showing 300 works by 36 artists from 17 countries. This year's theme is 'Light' and aims to show the depth and importance of Islamic Arts by presenting a contemporary interpretation of the concept. The Islamic Arts Festival runs until January 16, 2016 at the Sharjah Art Museum.