STATEMENT

In my work, I am exploring the process and history of the painting, both aesthetically and intellectually. The work is about external forces acting upon an object over time and inherently documenting these changes. However, they are not solely about the passing of time, but rather they are a record of the accumulation of these destructive forces.

The paintings are primarily large works in oil on canvas, with textured, wall-like surfaces. They are built up over time by both constructive and destructive processes. Layers and washes of paint are added and partially removed over and over again in much the same way a wall or other surface ages over time.

Recently, I have been exploring this concept further by treating pieces of metal with different chemicals. The pieces are made by a repetitive process of applying these chemicals in a manner that changes the color and physical properties of the metal. Other chemicals are then applied to partially remove these effects; thereby creating a new surface that still contains traces of previous states. Having previously created paintings that have the appearance of being aged, led to the exploration of different ways of creating work that does not just have the look of aging, but rather is actually physically changed.

While visually beautiful, the work also clearly demonstrates the conceptual effects of history and the passage of time. It is important that these paintings and works on metal have been made by repeatedly applying constructive and destructive forces over and over again, making them both something that exists in its present state while still bearing reminders of its past.

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