I am always seeking new visual vocabularies. Those that know me know I'm not eloquent when talking about the meaning of my work. I tend to discuss how i did it more than what it represents. To me I lose alot of my enjoyment of an artists work when I hear them talk about it. Not all artists, but most really seem to pigeon-hole themselves with words and a dialogue of meaning. I too have done this only to immediately call myself a liar or at best someone who only told half truths when describing the work. I think all day long--I assume everyone does. I'm not sure if I ever shut it off. I find thinking, most of the time, great!!!! I really do. But as I think I also work and react. So many thoughts happen when I work that putting them down--or actually putting only a small fraction of them down seems counterproductive to me. Many artists speak in broad terms in order to lead the viewers into a direction of understanding their work. I envy those who do that well. I recently listened to an interview of my friend Renee Zettle Sterling where she very nicely described her work in a way that drew me in, but didn't give me all the answers so that I could enjoy my own reaction to the work. She brilliantly discussed her work without being over blown or cagey and more importantly she did it in a way that didn't talk down to anyone. I would like to explain my work well, I really would. I feel like I'm still making the same work I did when I started years ago--questioning who I am, questioning the existence of God(not denying a higher power, but questioning it) and questioning societies role in shaping me and the existence of God within political structuring and our own nature that is always seeking individuality and personal freedom. I'm never sure what form that will take next--sometimes its a street photograph and sometimes is something i create out of nothing--or out of research and stumble upons! Photographs by Richard Sayer.
Addendum: So what did I do in class today? I began talking about my work and stumbling all over it.The notion of higher power and pyramid structures. The idea that a king is just a man and a man is his own king. The idea that human beings feel this need to be the best or give the appearance of being the best or right. What is wrong with just being unique, but necessarily recognized. I guess I would like my work to be recognized and perhaps even purchased--money will allow me to keep making work the way that I want--though money isn't necessary for me to make work--it makes paying bills easier--which allows me to focus on making work and not worried about foreclosures and food.
Addendum: So what did I do in class today? I began talking about my work and stumbling all over it.The notion of higher power and pyramid structures. The idea that a king is just a man and a man is his own king. The idea that human beings feel this need to be the best or give the appearance of being the best or right. What is wrong with just being unique, but necessarily recognized. I guess I would like my work to be recognized and perhaps even purchased--money will allow me to keep making work the way that I want--though money isn't necessary for me to make work--it makes paying bills easier--which allows me to focus on making work and not worried about foreclosures and food.