The Fundamental Unit

Jul 19

“I began working on canvasboard panels at the end of 1981. My first work consisted of 49 canvasboard panels - with an individual image drawn in pencil on each one. Subsequently I made larger paintings composed of multiple canvasboards. I also began numbering the panels from 1 to 49 and initially intended to keep a consecutive count - to infinity! A preposterous idea!

Now, in 2026, almost 45 years later, I am up to 118,129 panels.

While many of my works are large in scale, the individual panel, as a stand-alone piece has always been present in my ouevre, and I value this fundamental unit - a single canvasboard. I am now very happy to make these small units available for a wider audience.

They embody the spirit of my work. One small, transient being. I am indeed a fundamental unit! We all are.”

Imants Tillers

Blairgowrie, Cooma