WORK IN PROGRESS
FIGURES
In 2007, a series of figure paintings ,"Cut", was shown at Frank Pictures Gallery in Bergamot Station. These works addressed psychological damage in the form of narcissism. These took me into a deeper interpretation of the figure, and my own psyche.. The figure as recipient of outside forces. It was here that I confronted my own narcissism. I have always believed that art has a value in that it reflects the psychological state not only of the artist but also that of the lover of a particular work of art.. For, why then are we attracted to certain works, except for our state of mind?.. I have never intended to do work based on what seems like a " valuable or fashionable idea"... When I began this series of figure paintings, I had no idea that I would be investigating such wounds. In all circumstances, when approaching work, I have depended solely on my intuition to guide me, and not ever knowing for certain where the work would take me. Often times I go nowhere, at other times I find myself taking what can only be described as a spectacular journey.
FLOWERS
DRAWINGS
Obscenities the Economics of Greed
WOMEN SERIES
SLAVE SHIPS
The "Slave-Ship Paintings" came about after repeated visits to Edgartown. Where the galleries were full of 19th century paintings of whaling ships. Full masted clippers and working ships, painted like icons. These were images that resuscitated in me a feeling of youthful adventure and romance... So I began to paint ships. Looking for content, I painted a few iconic Death Ships and some Ghost Ships‚ before I ran out of juice... I had no more content‚ with which I could sustain the effort. And, I wanted to do more ships.
I stagnated for a while, until one day, while driving to the studio, the thought of the slave trade came to mind. I could not wait to go to work on the slavery issue, and produce paintings of slave ships. I hastened to do research in the library. (At that time I had no internet capability.) In addition to the paintings (about twelve), I also produced two mixed media sculptures of slave ships.. I showed the paintings at the Diane Jensen Gallery in Edgartown, in 1998 ... None sold.... Eventually, I sold half of those works and one of the sculptures, proving them to be a moderate success... They went to collectors in California and not in Edgartown. More than a year and half later, after my show in Edgartown the film "Amistad" was released but I had already beat Spielberg to the content. Whoopi Goldberg bought several and gifted one to a collector who bought a few more.
I stagnated for a while, until one day, while driving to the studio, the thought of the slave trade came to mind. I could not wait to go to work on the slavery issue, and produce paintings of slave ships. I hastened to do research in the library. (At that time I had no internet capability.) In addition to the paintings (about twelve), I also produced two mixed media sculptures of slave ships.. I showed the paintings at the Diane Jensen Gallery in Edgartown, in 1998 ... None sold.... Eventually, I sold half of those works and one of the sculptures, proving them to be a moderate success... They went to collectors in California and not in Edgartown. More than a year and half later, after my show in Edgartown the film "Amistad" was released but I had already beat Spielberg to the content. Whoopi Goldberg bought several and gifted one to a collector who bought a few more.
Mythological Gods
THE HUMAN SERIES
Painted in 1992, the Human series is a reminder that political murders, are allowed, because of the desire to intimidate the peaceful human population. Witness Bosnia, El Salvador, Argentina, Rwanda, Ghana and almost every country in the Middle East.
I wanted to set that type of murder in bucolic contemporary American suburbs for all the Americans to see. Americans are so ignorant of other cultures, and our governments policies…It seems that they never question... I did not know that 9/11 would actually be prophesied in these works... The killing of innocent civilians always results in a higher body count, much higher than the killing of the warriors... Shame. |