Mondrian’s work has been a big influence on me, and my approach to art. When I first encountered his paintings, I was struck by how spare, flat, and organized they were. There wasn’t even any hint of a 3rd dimension there. No perspective was suggested, at all. And the surfaces were profoundly flat. No bumps, no drips, no textures, no gloss. They are utterly plain, matte surfaces.
Years later, when I was in art school, I read a book of documents of modern art. In it were the manifestoes of the Surrealists, the Futurists, the Dadaists, and all those other early 20th century adventurers. It included an article by Mondrian called “Plastic Art and Pure Plastic Art.” He explained that artwork had to be in a perfect balance between the viewer’s desire to see pure beauty in the work, and the artist’s desire for self expression.
I found this idea of balance between the viewer and the artist very powerful, and it’s informed the work I’ve done since. Through my work I’ve always tried to express myself. But I’ve always tried to make work that would have strong visual interest for the viewer, as well. The viewer counts for a lot! The viewer completes the picture.
I first got interested in photography in middle school, in the 1970s. Some friends showed me there was a small darkroom at the school, and they showed me how to develop film, and how to make enlargements.
“Look, life is ridiculous. Nothing means anything, really, when you get right down to it. Besides, we’re all going to die. We all know all that. But, can’t we have a little fun along the way?”
Piet Mondrian
Mondrian’s work has been a big influence on me, and my approach to art. When I first encountered his paintings, I was struck by how spare, flat, and organized they were. There wasn’t even any hint of a 3rd dimension there. No perspective was suggested, at all. And the surfaces were profoundly flat. No bumps, no drips, no textures, no gloss. They are utterly plain, matte surfaces.
Years later, when I was in art school, I read a book of documents of modern art. In it were the manifestoes of the Surrealists, the Futurists, the Dadaists, and all those other early 20th century adventurers. It included an article by Mondrian called “Plastic Art and Pure Plastic Art.” He explained that artwork had to be in a perfect balance between the viewer’s desire to see pure beauty in the work, and the artist’s desire for self expression.
I found this idea of balance between the viewer and the artist very powerful, and it’s informed the work I’ve done since. Through my work I’ve always tried to express myself. But I’ve always tried to make work that would have strong visual interest for the viewer, as well. The viewer counts for a lot! The viewer completes the picture.
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