Free Energy

Energy can be found in many forms in nature: kinetic, potential, thermal, electrical, nuclear, and so on. But ‘free’ energy is a particular form of energy that is available to do work on a system, as opposed to bound energy, which is not. For example, the world’s oceans are full of thermal energy due to the microscopic motion of all the water molecules they contain. But this energy cannot be used to do useful work—say, to drive an engine—as it is bound into the very structure of the water. Volatile compounds, such as carbon-based fuels, however, have lots of free energy that can be released to do useful work. The same holds true for the foods we eat such as sugar systems from which free energy is extracted and used to drive all the biophysical work that keep us alive, including the processes occurring in our brains that make us conscious. 

In this marbling piece, as with many others, I have used fluorescent paints to create the intense oranges and pinks. They are highly efficient at reflecting the light energy from the surface and transferring it to our eyes, which are sensitive to energies of different intensities. The intensity of the colour in the original work is not so obvious in reproduction but is especially striking in person, especially given the contrast with the complementary blues and greys. Fluorescent pigments are notoriously fugitive, meaning that they tend to fade when exposed to bright light, and especially to sunlight. Fortunately, the inks used to represent the fluorescent paints in this poster are much more permanent.  

Original artwork: 2023, Ink and paint on paper, 60 x 60 cm.

Posters are shown here at 40 x 30 cm (16 x 12 inches), 60 x 45 cm (24 x 18 inches), and 80 x 60 cm (32 x 24 inches).

Our heavier-weight, white, premium matte paper has a natural, smooth uncoated finish that feels luxurious to the touch.

Features:

• The 200 gsm/ 80 lb paper weight makes it durable and long-lasting.
• We use FSC-certified paper or equivalent certifications depending on regional availability. It’s better for the people and the planet.
• Each poster is shipped in robust packaging, ensuring it arrives safe and secure.
• Paper sizes may vary slightly by region. For the US and Canada, the measurement is in inches, while for the rest of the world, it is in centimeters.
• It is printed and shipped on demand. No minimums are required.