ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is about space. Space to not only express my emotions but to leave them. To fill this space with colour, shapes and texture that can adequately represent feelings that may have remained trapped. The art I create is cathartic and relieves me of the same heavy emotion I hope to share with the viewer.
My hope is that it captures a mood that is familiar to my audience and helps them to identify in a space of commonality. My therapy may, in turn, be therapeutic for others.
The space around me is inspirational. The beauty of nature informs my palette and organic forms dance and float on the canvas with an ever present feeling of hope. Despair and anguish will invariably give way to some light on the horizon.
Male abstract expressionists have traditionally taken up the most space in this field. My wish is to command my own space by painting boldly on large canvases that will leave no doubt that I insist on being seen. I will not be denied the space to express myself nor the opportunity to leave a piece of myself that might one day be healing to someone. I paint boldly to rejoice in the life that we all should be happy to live.
The space I plan to fill is for me and most definitely for all.
Photograph by Jack Barten