Paper Crane Painting

These paintings represent visual metaphors that emerge from the examination of common objects in my life and how images of those objects relate to an "intimate" human condition. I feel metaphors for identity, self-preservation, and mortality stem directly and indirectly from inanimate and animate personal possessions. Objects of interest may include: children's toys, grooming accessories, insects and food. The work results in objects contextually placed in still life settings or sometimes in more ambiguous spaces. By focusing on small and in most cases insignificant objects often illustrate a greater significance pertaining to our addiction to possessions, our obsession with self-preservation, and ultimately our mortality. Although, my primary concern is with the metaphors these objects may represent, I am continually inspired by more complex issues that the simple juxtaposition of two or more objects presents. I believe the juxtaposition of objects arranged by visual artists are similar to that of how many poets lay down verse. Where, it is not the words or image perse that contain the power but the unknown image that arises from what was created by the juxtaposition. Defined as the "imago ignota" Irish Poet Seamus Heaney once said, "it is the combination of words/images, which elevate them beyond the language of the obvious". Although, there are romantic notions in the personal subjectivity and treatment of this work, they are not grand statements of typical romantic artwork, but more closely related to genre or rhopographic type statements of the mundane used as metaphors for grand ideas. My approach to painting is personal and intuitive. During the creative process I try to think as little as possible about the work and let the subject matter surface from my subconscious or daily obsessions. The result is highly suggestive by its contents and symbolically loaded with historical references. Ultimately, this work is not "about" the objects represented but more about everything the objects represent. The concern for the material develops from entirely personal experiences and through obsessions I have with the human condition as it relates to my search for identity.