Wood Works
This series of pieces was created in 2012. Small wooden shapes cut with a laser are set into 4 x 4 inch wooden panels. The shapes were cut to fit tightly enough to snap fit, eliminating the need for glue. All components were sprayed with epoxy based paint leaving a semi-smooth surface. The imperfections caused by human "error" such as slightly crooked shapes and areas of bumpy paint, give the pieces a more lively appearance than if they were perfect. Like people, the flaws in these pieces add interest and perhaps comfort.
Laser Series 1
This series of pieces was created in 2012 and 2013. Net-like patterns were cut into high quality Italian Rag paper using a laser cutter. This series is an experiment with manipulating net patterns to visually represent complex emotions and musical sounds. The settings on the laser cutter were adjusted to leave burn marks when the laser cut through the paper symbolizing an uncontrollable aspect within a controlled space.
Encaustics
These works are acrylic mixed with wax painted on cement board. They were made in 2010 and 2011 after a number of years of making interactive and static art on and for the computer screen. The weight and physicality of these pieces represents an emotional reaction against the ephemeral nature of computer art and a need to return to tangible. Some of the pieces have cement shapes connected by wires. These represent the link of people, places and things in the abstract.
Senegal Photos
This photo series was taken in 2013 and 2014 in St. Louis, Senegal and Dahra, Senegal. These photos document wall drawings that were done primarily by children, many of whom are talibe. Talibe are Koranic students, boys between the age of 4 and 17. They often are living many miles from home in substandard, unhygienic conditions with almost no contact with their families. The younger boys are forced to beg in the streets. A good description of the talibe system in St. Louis can be found here: http://www.talibes.org/
The city of Dahra is smaller than St. Louis with fewer talibes yet the practices are the same as in St. Louis. More information about the table system can be found here: http://www.antislavery.org/includes/documents/cm_docs/2009/f/forced_child_begging_in_senegal_july_2009.pdf
The Senegalese children draw on the walls of buildings and alongside roads because they cannot afford paper. They do it for fun, not as an art form. Yet when questioned about the drawings they always smile and point to more drawings. Charcoal is most commonly used so the wall drawings are usually ephemeral in nature not unlike computer art.. They dissolve after a few days then new drawings are created in their place.
I am currently working on a series of pieces inspired by my time spent in Senegal. Many thanks to Staffan and Jarmo at Waaw for the opportunity be an artist in residence in St. Louis. http://www.waawsenegal.org/residence.html
Interactive work... to be added