My work represents the next generation of ceramic artists, who fuse today's technology with one of the oldest traditions in art. To some the computer is completely foreign while others have grown up in front of one. This familiarity will lead to the creation of new modes of expression in the ceramic arts.
During the day I work as an Art Director at a Chicago advertising agency. I use the computer to create a myriad of advertising elements. While at work I am exposed to programs and media that have direct applications for our clients. In the back of my mind I am wondering how can I apply this to my artwork. Upon returning home it is not long before I am situated in front of the computer again.
While I try to keep the two separate my ad work and my artwork influence each other. You will often see computer related imagery as it's part of my daily life and in some cases a part of our contemporary vernacular.
I use the computer in my artwork to illustrate, manipulate, and compose the elements for each piece . It allows me to create several versions of a concept while refining it along the way until there is a version that successfully conveys my vision. Over the years my work has become increasingly narrative with the subjects drawing from my personal life.
Once the concept is complete I send my computer files out for film positives. I use the film separations to create silkscreen's used in transferring the images onto large sheets of wet clay. The process can takes several hours and is rather delicate as the clay is quite soft and records every push and pull. One accidental slip can ruin a piece. My printing medium is glaze and not ink which presents all sorts of challenges and contributes to the lengthy process.
I like to work wet on wet as it gives me freedom. I can emboss a cardboard trompe l'oeil affect on the surface of the clay fooling people into thinking its cardboard and not clay. Once the printing is complete I often give additional volume to the work so it pops off a wall when it is hung in place.
I like to make work that makes people think, being that much of my work deals with personal things in my life I often use a complex laying of semiotics to convey the meaning. The basic idea sits on the surface and with successive levels buried in symbolism. I give clues to the viewer and let them unravel the mystery.
Most if not all my pieces deal with themes that are common to the human experience and because of that people can relate to the message. I think the role of art is to convey or evoke emotion and I hope all of my work succeeds on this level.
In addition to the common experience each viewer brings their personal experiences to each piece of art. I am often pleasantly surprised by what others get from the meaning of the work. Through others I have seen things in the meaning of my work that had been transparent. Work rather intuitively and sometimes the meaning of things reveal themselves to me long after the work is completed.
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