Print Artist's Summary

 

Artist's Statement


Things of Beauty # 168,
4.25" x 2.125" high

At one time, beauty was a necessary, even the principle, quality in works of art. Sometimes beauty alone was sufficient. Today, beauty is not necessary, and certainly not sufficient. For that matter, beauty seems almost to be detrimental. My work addresses this issue.

I aim to present, and re-introduce, objects the primary quality of which is beauty.


Things of Beauty # 134, #129, #141,
Largest: 4" x 1.75" high

One of the hallmarks of beauty was/is that it speaks directly to, and satisfies, the senses. Its appreciation is unmediated by other considerations. Consequently, beauty is not perplexing. Nor is it alienating or threatening.

My work consists of small, glittering, mesmerizing, colourful bowls. The bowl form, familiar and comforting since pre-history, facilitates the pre-cognitive and un-mediated appreciation of my work, facilitates, that is, my work speaking directly to, and satisfying, the senses. The scale of my work, objects small enough to fit into one's palm, is non-threatening.


Ferris Bowls,
6" x 2.25" high

In presenting and re-introducing into contemporary art-space objects as sensual objects, I address the orthodoxy that "... art must say something" that, paraphrased, art is cognitive. Of course, any "addressing" enters into a discussion of sorts. As such my work does "say something", albeit not about states of affairs as is meant in the claim that "… art must say something ", but about art, artists and art -making, and as such "says something" about states of affairs, but only obliquely and at a once removed.