Artist's Statement

Communication is something that is expressed through a variety of experiences. In the recent past I attended a symposium where I heard David Salle speak about his work. He emphasized upon a metaphor that really inspired me. He compared art making to having a conversation. Each conversation forms a life of its own. Sentences that are spoken contain words that all have been used before, however, never in the same combination.. Interruptions occur as well as references to previous conversations that introduce new subjects to be discussed. Abstract imagery can contain the same actions that a verbal or written form of communication can contain.

Similar to a conversation, written language is a form of communication that is a part of our daily lives; to remove the meaning then would only leave a series of complex lines and shapes. This current work is an investigation of what happens when meaning is removed from text. Combining different languages, reducing characters to a minimal form and using repetition and layering manipulate the writing and create an abstract image. Sources of inspiration stem from Asian and Islamic calligraphy to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. The practice of calligraphy places the beauty and control of line before the meaning. The importance of appreciating the elegance of the writing without expressing a message is what is translated through abstraction.

Orchestrating these elements to become abstract allow the inherent grace and beauty of the character to be revealed. Responsiveness to the imagery continues the "conversation" that Salle refers to. The paint or enamel becomes the language itself. The verbal is removed, content is dissolved and the visual conversation takes over.

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