M. Blair Ligon · Computer Painting · Fine Art Prints · Pietra Dura Series




Pietra Dura
Limited edition of 5
10.5 x 14", framed and matted to 17.25 x 20" in Motif Ceramic Blue wood

"Photography, which has taken such giant leaps because of technology, is no longer a tool to make art but is the substance of the art itself, and there are some standouts in this show (Durham Art Guild Members Show 2007). I was especially impressed with...M. Blair Ligon's "Pietra Dura #3/5," where he mystically changes images of trees and their watery reflections into architectural lace."
—Blue Greenberg, The Durham Herald-Sun, June 24, 2007


As seen in these juried exhibitions:

Scope: the North Carolina Landscape,
Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh NC, 2007
Interpretations of the North Carolina landscape by artists from across the state.
Pietra Dura received a second place award in the Scope exhibition.

New Works Exhibition
Artspace, Raleigh NC, 2007

Trading Spaces,Target Gallery,
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Juried Show of Artspace Artists, Alexandria VA, 2007

Pietra dura (durable rock) is an arts and crafts style from the Indian sub-continent that features organic, branching forms and the use of jewels, especially turquoise and lapis.  Objects in the pietra dura style are decorated with lace-like forms from the landscape, punctuated by the colored jewels. The artwork “Pietra Dura” takes this concept and turns it on its head, imagining a landscape that echoes the structure of the pietra dura object.


All images copyright 2009, M. Blair Ligon,
all rights reserved worldwide.