Sunday, August 18, 2013

COMMISSION: SALT & LIGHT

A friend of mine asked me to do a commission for her and her husband's library in their West Philadelphia apartment, and of course I was glad to do it. The title for this piece is "Salt & Light", which stems from a Bible verse in the book of Matthew, where Christ is telling his disciples that they are both salt and light of the world. When Christ is referring to salt, he is referring to its ability to preserve; and when He talks about being a light, He says, "A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16). The library in their apartment does not get very much natural light, being that it is closely neighbored by another building, so I wanted to make something that would harvest what light there was, and reflect it for the rest of the room. Painted with an iridescent acrylic, the surface carries a very metallic shimmer, and compliments the coral walls with its light blue-green tint and bright  aqua colored crevasse. In the end, the piece could be a light in a dim place, much like Christ and His disciples in the world. 


Salt & Light, 2013
Acrylic and iridescent acrylic on canvas
37x48"




 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

FROM MONTHS AGO



Blue Heat, 2012
Acrylic on canvas
48x37"

This painting was finished months ago along with some other pieces, but I am waiting to get better images of them before I post them. This painting was a bit of an impulsive exercise. More to come soon.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

PERSONA: FILM STILLS

 In Ingmar Bergman's existential drama, Persona, two main characters occupy the black and white frame. One of them, an actress that has had a nervous breakdown, riddled with the terrible sense of guilt for her lack of love and affection towards her own child; the other, the nurse that is trying to help. In this film, Bergman draws on the concept of "good" and "evil", and the conflict of human emotions towards these subjects. The characters themselves depict the state of being torn—divided in two—and abiding in a state of introspective madness. 
 
In these stills, the figures occupy a world of black and white, moving to and fro, from being in the light, and then into the darkness. The compositions then are entirely constructed of light and dark, devoid of color, and rely on shade alone for recognition. As stills taken from a time based medium, allowing glimpses into minute details of a moving narrative, the images project beyond the seeming regularity of the acts, and reconstruct another narrative within. Here, the focus remains on the relationship between light and darkness, the interaction of light with the characters, and the trope of film itself as a constructed reality.  Within the narrative of these images is the state of being divided between light and darkness, drawing on what existentialist Søren Kierkegaard called “being of two minds”.  It is in this state, within the film, that the distinction between “light” and “dark”,  and “good” and evil”, becomes blurred, creating a haunting, dismal reality.  
 




 
Curtain
Digital film Still
Dark Figure 1
Digital film still
Dark Figure 2
Digital film still
 Dark Figure 3
Digital film still
 Gazer 
Digital film still
 Horror
Digital film still
 Light & Dark
Digital film still
On & Off
Digital film still
 Machine
Digital film still
Shadow
Digital film still
  Sleeper
Digital film still
U.F.O
Digital film still

Monday, September 24, 2012

COUNTERCONSTRUCTS: MODES OF PAINTING (INSTALLED)

 
                                                              Photo by Emily Rodia








Photos by Lily Kuonen 




Photos by Lauren Moore

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

OPEN STUDIO

In further news, my studio mate, Justin Rubich, and I will be hosting an open studio on Friday, September 7th, at 319 N 11th Street, on the 6th floor. For more information, click HERE.



Friday, August 17, 2012

CURATORIAL ESSAY

Here is the curatorial essay for COUNTERCONSTRUCTS. Sounds like a show I'd like to see. Take a look!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

NEW PHOTOS: NEW WORK

Photos by Matthew Coons


First Efficient Cause, 2012
Latex on canvas and wall
12x12"

Life Line, 2012
Latex on canvas
24x24"


(Life Line detail)

Rise, 2012
Latex on canvas and wall
12x12"

 The Second Day, 2012
Latex and florescent spray paint on canvas
73x72"

 (The Second Day detail)

If B then A, 2012
Spray paint and graphite on paper
22x15"