My solo exhibit, Into the Common Ground, opens at the Kada Gallery in Erie this Friday, December 5th. While much of my work centers on the unique voice of the individual, the theme of this show is about finding those common bonds and experiences that we share with others.
Actually, I’ve always thought that my work succeeds when it communicates as a mix of those two things– individual expression of a common theme or emotion. Art for me is communication, about reaching out and finding validation in my own humanity through contact with others. I feel that art should be expansive, not exclusive or reserved for wealthy insiders. While art is often an inward search, it should always be reaching out to engage the world.
And maybe that is what I see here in this new painting, Delicate Balance. Creating work that reaches out and finds common ground is a sometimes delicate balance. It comes down to identifying what is really at the base of what you are or hope to be as a human and pushing aside those negative feelings– envy, greed and hate among many other negatives– that cloud your judgement.
Its not always an easy thing to accomplish. That bridge across to others can be sometime wobbly. But when it does happen, that simple crossing seems like the 8th wonder of the world. A miracle.
Redtree Times 