Abstract
Windows of Perception
The ineffable beauty of nature pushes the boundaries of my perception constantly.
I find awe and wonder in the reflections of the gray sky on the ocean, the sound of snowfall hitting the trees, and the indefinite distance of fog or mist surrounding me. My project, Windows of Perception, is a diary of my investigations of my own perceptions, recorded through printmaking, coupled with the use of light and space to create an experience. Within my research I have questioned my memory through color and light, and how it affects my imagination, thoughts and inner perceptions. Recalling memories that feel related in one way or another, I have discovered that there's a recurring theme that inspires my work.
This theme is water
Artist Statement
This work explores perception, landscapes, color layering, and transparencies. Through the use of materials such as plexiglass, translucent screen printing inks, a jig around the plexiglass, and light, I have abstracted landscapes that feel personal to me by creating different layers of color and space to the image. Nature is present in the work in material and subject matter.The use of plexiglass is a communicative device that aids the interaction of color and light between each layer. The juxtaposition of this plastic material, in relation to the natural environments being depicted, addresses the relationship of synthetic man made material versus nature. One of the landscapes I have chosen to abstract is the mountains. In doing so, I have looked at avalanche maps from an overhead point of view as inspiration. I felt drawn to this landscape and the organic patterns it creates, not only because they are visually interesting, but also because of the way the mountains make me feel when I am on them. The sensory experience of being in this environment is calm and quiet. The quiet allows for an escape from the loudness of everyday life. The calm comes from the physical act of snowboarding that allows me to step away from my frequent busy thoughts and experience sound that's usually masked by other noises. Even the sound of icy snow being carved away by my snowboard brings a static moment to what was previously there. The multi-layered pieces of plexi with printed landscapes on them represent my personal perception of the environment, which includes bright layers of unexpected color combinations to create a whimsical reinterpretation of reality.