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.