Binary Sore System Print

This work depicts bacterial infection and the thematic focus of construction and deconstruction as they relate to the human body. Some might wonder what connection bacteria has when compared to my other work. Nevertheless, the underlying conceptual elements which exist in this series are more or less the same as those supporting past conceptual subjects. From a purely technical and painterly standpoint, there is little difference between painting piles of rocks, versus masses of micro-organisms. Both use elements of repetition to form a greater whole. However, as for the non-technical side, referring to the image itself; why bacteria? Like the rock piles series which came before, the work consistently deals with sinusoidal patterns which exist in everyday reality, which are the themes of construction turning to deconstruction. These changes are not unlike the process of growth preceding decay. One cycle stimulates the other. Furthermore, there is something visually fascinating about the micro-universe. It is a world that was not allowed to previous generations, in the same way, that images of deep space were held secret until recently. It is an interesting duality, the micro-verse as compared to the universe. Both are alien realities that we can only look at through the assistance of scientific instruments. In addition, the colonies of bacteria that future paintings hope to express, share similar traits to our own human surroundings. There is the lone bacterium, representing man. There is the bacterial colony - society. Then, there are the detrimental, outward effects of bacteria and micro-organisms on the body - humanity’s wars or violence. Just as the previous painting series of rocks served as a symbol for creation or destruction, these microscopic entities are a metaphor for the processes of generation and degeneration. It, therefore, becomes an interesting contrast how something so small, visually simple, and quite possibly beautiful, can also potentially have such a huge impact on all our lives. Lastly, it is slightly fulfilling to clash with public expectations regarding what images are deemed acceptable in a painted composition, and whether art should always represent the beautiful. My intent is to show an alternate and less traditional side to beauty, and conversely depict rather tongue-in-cheek images of the macabre. The painting also illustrates the duality that exists between outward reality and the microscopic world.