Material Manipulation

 

This installation is a spatial continuation of a series that has been in the works for over a year. The series featured in this installation, Material Study, explores the use of unconventional materials and the physical interactions that occur between them on a canvas. Through this series, I have explored many new and different resources and processes, and more pieces are still in the works.

 

My goal with this series is to push materials past their intended use, and manipulate them for my own aesthetic purposes. My favorite materials to misuse are construction materials, because they are readily available, not normally associated with fine art painting, and can create fantastic textures. I enjoy creating a juxtaposition between the material input and the end product. For example, I have extensively used silicon caulking and construction adhesive mixed with acrylic paint, to make new qualities. However, until now the work has been one dimensional or shallow relief.

 

The idea for the installation is to take the manipulation and abstraction of materials one step further by pushing flat paintings onto a built environment. These mixed media paintings, photographed and projected onto this space, create the imagery shown now. The three shapes inside are different types of stiffened fabric, each with a different texture creating a unique way to catch the light. The most intriguing part to me is the hanging mesh, which catches the light from both projectors, combining interesting colors and casting complex shadows on the walls behind.

 

I hope you have just as much fun experiencing this, as I had creating it. I would like to give a huge thanks to Ms. Nicoletta Daríta de la Brown, who believed in this project from the beginning and really helped me develop and refine the idea. I could not have done it without her expertise and contagious positive energy. Additionally I need to thank Mr. Archie Veale who helped my finalize this project and worked with me to iron out the logistics. Enjoy the show!