Artifacts of the Mind Series
If you could explain your painting, why would you need to paint at all? My paintings are a culmination of my impressions, thoughts, and emotions.
The paintings are not always traditional rectangles. Some are on shaped pieces of wood. I make the surface receptive to the paint with heavy layers of gesso. I choose colors that seem to give life to the shape. I introduce my responses to surroundings and emotions into the painting.
Following the example of Matisse’s Red Studio painting, the paint radiates outward toward the edge of the painting emphasizing the composition. The paint overlaps and congregates on the surface, layering and creating deeply textured pieces. These remnants and discarded fragments make home to an entirely new archaeological form.
My body of work is reminiscent of artifacts of some past culture — fragments and portions of something unknown. It is a totemic graphic language composed of line and form, size and shape. It is ephemeral and affective. It is reminiscent of remnants of some cultural activity. I believe that artists are forgers and recipients of culture, seeing and describing the world in their own terms.
An artifact is a culture’s ideal beauty or form, striving to create the perfect representation. I challenge the usual perception of what beauty is. I think we find ourselves always striving for perfection. Beauty for me is derived from an honest appreciation of the flaws of the human being. My paintings tell a story through the layers of paint. Each layer builds upon each other to create the surface. Parts of the surface are cut and sanded symbolizing creation versus destruction.
My paintings allow materials to mend and overlap evoking the cyclical nature of life.
Artist Statement – © 2018 Adam McGowan