Transience
Duct tape, 12' x 8'
Inspiration for image-making often comes from social interaction. These moments are important and humanity will always be a rich source of material, revealing interest and priorities, hegemony and mores, networking and relationships. Whether directly involved or as an observer, I enjoy the encounters and making references to moments where individuals have come together and are sharing spaces.
‘Transience’, is an image based on a moment of interaction where family and friends came together at an exhibition of art. The shared moment reflects the placement of their value and support. As the figures appear to communicate, sharing a moment, the composition is intended to encourage viewers to feel less of an observer and more as a participant, merging and completing the gathering. Importantly, for me, an aesthetic experience lies somewhere between these integral components: the work, the audience and the encounter. Interestingly, each of these components, and even the memories of them, are at times short lived, impermanent quickly passed over.
Transience
Duct tape, 12' x 8'
Inspiration for image-making often comes from social interaction. These moments are important and humanity will always be a rich source of material, revealing interest and priorities, hegemony and mores, networking and relationships. Whether directly involved or as an observer, I enjoy the encounters and making references to moments where individuals have come together and are sharing spaces.
‘Transience’, is an image based on a moment of interaction where family and friends came together at an exhibition of art. The shared moment reflects the placement of their value and support. As the figures appear to communicate, sharing a moment, the composition is intended to encourage viewers to feel less of an observer and more as a participant, merging and completing the gathering. Importantly, for me, an aesthetic experience lies somewhere between these integral components: the work, the audience and the encounter. Interestingly, each of these components, and even the memories of them, are at times short lived, impermanent quickly passed over.
Transience
Duct tape, 12' x 8'
Inspiration for image-making often comes from social interaction. These moments are important and humanity will always be a rich source of material, revealing interest and priorities, hegemony and mores, networking and relationships. Whether directly involved or as an observer, I enjoy the encounters and making references to moments where individuals have come together and are sharing spaces.
‘Transience’, is an image based on a moment of interaction where family and friends came together at an exhibition of art. The shared moment reflects the placement of their value and support. As the figures appear to communicate, sharing a moment, the composition is intended to encourage viewers to feel less of an observer and more as a participant, merging and completing the gathering. Importantly, for me, an aesthetic experience lies somewhere between these integral components: the work, the audience and the encounter. Interestingly, each of these components, and even the memories of them, are at times short lived, impermanent quickly passed over.
Transience
Duct tape, 12' x 8'
Inspiration for image-making often comes from social interaction. These moments are important and humanity will always be a rich source of material, revealing interest and priorities, hegemony and mores, networking and relationships. Whether directly involved or as an observer, I enjoy the encounters and making references to moments where individuals have come together and are sharing spaces.
‘Transience’, is an image based on a moment of interaction where family and friends came together at an exhibition of art. The shared moment reflects the placement of their value and support. As the figures appear to communicate, sharing a moment, the composition is intended to encourage viewers to feel less of an observer and more as a participant, merging and completing the gathering. Importantly, for me, an aesthetic experience lies somewhere between these integral components: the work, the audience and the encounter. Interestingly, each of these components, and even the memories of them, are at times short lived, impermanent quickly passed over.
Singing Gates
acrylic and charcoal, 48" x 36"
Gates have long featured in the art of Bermuda. Situated along picturesque roads and offering glimpses into beautiful private gardens and vistas, gates also represent denial and control. Gates have also become associated with scandal and politics. I use this familiar icon in this series of four paintings to represent local sites of resistance.
Cow Pass
acrylic, 24" x 36"
Here are three of the paintings from this series in which I have focused on distinctive and peculiar elements appearing in my neighborhood.
Cow Pass is the original name for Khyber Pass, Bermuda.
Cow Pass
acrylic, 24" x 36"
Here are three of the paintings from this series in which I have focused on distinctive and peculiar elements appearing in my neighborhood.
Cow Pass is the original name for Khyber Pass, Bermuda.
cowpass2
Cow Pass is sleepy, but busy. It is mundane, but dynamic. It is an intersection of convenience. Importantly for us, it is an intersection of place and art; a focus on environment, perspective and identity; a focus on home.
artsmithsbda first explored this theme 21 years ago. This is a revisitation. (see Royal Gazette: The Smiths: Keeping Art in the Neighbourhood) How has the location changed? How have we changed? Certainly, our aesthetics have not- as we have maintained an interest in social environments and, in particular, our neighbours and immediate space.
Is Cow Pass (Khyber Pass) a microcosm of Bermuda? Is it fair for it be seen as such? Is it a metaphor- a reference to working class Bermuda and the values, interests, joys, and traditions that accompany this segment of society?
While seemingly following a tradition of painting the ‘picturesque’, our gaze prompts us to deviate with our focus, place and technique. We see this as an amazing opportunity for further exploration of a ready source and the consideration of trust themes such as integrity, connection, competence, and consistency. Where will the evolution from a rural space to a unique stop on an early tourist tour, and then to a neighborhood of mixed-use development, lead?
The following works are my contribution to the artsmithsbda exhibition:
collage
16" x 16"each
paintings
each diptych 78" x 36"
mural
duct tape 144' x 48"
cowpass2
acrylic and charcoal, 48" x 36"each
Gates have long featured in the art of Bermuda. Although they are often depicted along picturesque roads and offering glimpses into beautiful private gardens and vistas, gates also represent denial and control. Gates have also become associated with scandal and politics. I use this familiar icon in this series of four paintings to represent local sites of resistance.
collages
