Artist's Statement for SOLUBLE FISH

My new solo exhibit, SOLUBLE FISH is NEXT weekend at SPACE GALLERY during Nashville's First Saturday Downtown Art Crawl!  You'll be able to find me at 61 Arcade Building as you take in all the exhibit openings for the month of October.  I'll be in person at the Gallery from 6-9PM along with my art and some other goodies to hand out.  For now, I wanted to share with you my Artist's Statement for this new body of paintings I've created over the past couple of months.  I usually like to write something about each series of art I create to help guide the audience through my thought process.  SOLUBLE FISH is as much an homage to the school of Surrealism as it is a commentary on Man's world view juxtaposed with that of Marine Life's.  This will be posted at the exhibit to accompany my fresh dose of surrealism...

SOLUBLE FISH

From the Artist…

The term “Soluble Fish” comes from the written work of the same name by André Breton who penned the Surrealist Manifesto in 1924 outlining the methodology and madness of both the literary and artistic sects of Surrealism- a movement which would storm the world of traditional arts.  Today, some 90 years later Surrealism still thrives in various forms throughout the world.  

  

Surrealism captures a dream which captivates audiences.  It exploits the fluidity of the unreal while emphasizing the impermanence of life, its actions and creations.  Within its realm, everything is both a fleeting glimpse and infinite at the same time.  It is soluble and melts before one’s eyes yet lingers and takes on new meanings scurrying from corner to dark corner of the viewer’s mind.   With this achievement, the veil is lifted, the mind is exercised and freedom is experienced.

“The mind of the man who dreams is fully satisfied by what happens to him. The agonizing question of possibility is no longer pertinent.  Kill, fly faster, love to your heart’s content. And if you should die, are you not certain of reawaking among the dead? Let yourself be carried along, events will not tolerate your interference. You are nameless. The ease of everything is priceless.” 

- André Breton, Surrealist Manifesto

With this new series of paintings, I sought in part to explore the literal- with various fish and aquatic life as my muses.  Taking these subjects out of their normal mode and environment, I’ve placed them in positions of authority and acts of liberation.   Do they reflect humanity’s strife?  Do they cry a primal and desperate scream for help?  Do they hold a convex mirror to our own preconceived notions about mortality?  The answers reside in your mind dear viewer- your fleeting glimpse (or infinite translation) of these works allows the surreal part to exist.  Only within your eyes does art serve its purpose.  Now cast your net…

Click HERE for the SOLUBLE FISH Event Page on FACEBOOK!