F.A.Q

Rudimentary Artist Statement

My work revolves around identity — driven by the influences physical and emotional values exert on personal connections.

By focusing on subjects as objective visual records, and applying controlled brushstrokes I want to circumvent the issue of romanticisation. I reject the abstract expressionist’ spontaneous, subconscious approach; and instead choose to create on the basis of careful planning and intrinsic value.

I believe strongly in the nouveau-realist’ tendency to want to bring art and the outside world closer together by incorporating elements from life into their work - and maintain that as a principal part of my process and source of inspiration.

My goal is to depict something as I perceive it — a subjective representation, whilst stripping it of unnecessary visuals and still maintaining its essence. I aim to break figurative elements out of context and re-insert them into new ones to represent a more primal and essential narrative.

I wish to break away from the stigma of a set realistic form and any external responsibility to bear witness, emphasize, or criticise, instead opting to focus on my subjective impression and building upon principles from various movements —

Fluxus: “embark on a piece without having a conception of the eventual end. It was the process of creating that was important, not the finished product.”
Expressionism: “to depict not objective reality but rather the subjective emotions and responses that objects and events arouse within a person”
Sturm und Drang: “emotional extremes and subjectivity”
Realism: “choice and treatment of subject matter that defines Realism as a movement in painting”
1. “accurate depiction of lifeforms, perspective, and the details of light and colour”
2. “represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding artistic conventions”

I do not see myself as a traditional realist, as I do not reject all methods of idealism and do not seek to represent a universal objectivity in my work — only a subjective objectivity (as true objectivity seems unachievable from a singular point of view).

I want to distance myself in my work from a need for justification or defence. I don't feel that anyone should have to feel obligated to defend themselves for what they believe in. I believe that our principles and decisions should be based on an internal awareness of our reasoning - and that we should accept the consequences that come with those decisions.

I do believe strongly in standing up for our own ideals, and I want my work to reflect that. The freedom of expression through selfish, direct, inexcusable, plain, self-contained observation.