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In "Aviator" and "Landscapes of War", I'm interested in the idea of aerial views of landscape. Visually, they are fields of shapes and forms which are different than what can be seen from land. As a specific approach to the genre of landscape painting, there is no horizon line, instead the field of vision is filled as an allover composition.
In "Landscapes of War" the overall approach is calligraphic and line becomes the dominant element. In this way, the work is inspired by traditional Japanese and Chinese calligraphy, both verbal anad visual language. This has led me into research of Japanese and Chinese art forms. Regarding the "Renga Miniatures": In Japan, renga was a group activity in which each participant spontaneously composes a poem in response to the poem that came before. The more interesting the relationship between the two poems the more impressive the poet’s ability. I see these small prints as similar to elements in this sort of process in which units can be moved around to create differing meanings. Regarding the "Haikai Spirit" series: haikai spirit implies the interaction of diverse languages and subcultures, particularly between popular culture and the poetic tradition, and the humor and interest resulting from the incongruity between the two.
The titles that I give my work are both literal and metaphorical. Some simply name the place in which the pieces were created. My experience of those places has a lot to do with what sort of images I create. Other titles connote additional levels of meaning and thought. Within a series, all the titles taken together start to suggest a thematic message and tone. I'm generally interested in the process of creating titles relative to non-objective imagery. They tend to point to possible meanings where there is little in the work itself that has any reference to content. I find that it's a way to augment the work, less as a label than as a textual aspect of the work itself; the title is an extension of the artwork. Many titles are direct contradictions of the form of the work, which ironically seem to strengthen any messages the artwork may seem to be representing.
My background is in painting, printmaking and photography. Each medium is ultimately a 2-dimensional mix of lines and shapes, order and disorder. Despite this, each is distinct in process and offers unique visual qualities. I find that they are mutually enhancing.
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