Synaesthesia Drawings of the Voice of JAMES BALDWIN
Synesthesia Drawings of the Voice of James Baldwin (2024-ongoing) walnut ink and gouache on murillo
Synesthesia Drawings of the Voice of James Baldwin emanate from the legendary 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley. Baldwin's voice moves with a force that carves space, leaving both visible and invisible marks. Shapes and colors of deep walnut, carmine, lavender, and denim emerge, grounded yet expansive, reflecting the rhythm, cadence, and emotional resonance of his words. His voice doesn’t just speak—it carries, cuts, and echoes long after the words have settled, constructing an architecture of eloquence.
Each mark, in both color and shape, corresponds precisely to a specific sonic cue. For Schwartz, sound moves through space in three-dimensional mobiles of color and form. She describes her process as “butterfly-netting” the most beautiful-looking sounds and pinning them to paper, preserving their fleeting presence in static form.
Additional synesthesia series emerge from the sensory experiences of Chopin’s Nocturnes, Luxembourg Gardens, the voices of Alan Watts, Oliver Sacks, Richard Feynman, and the music of Mozart.
