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Artist Statement

In my work, I create worlds in which I fuse elements of the human body, animals and plants into biomorphic forms, using dots as building blocks. Through the use of dots I reflect on how everything in the physical world is unified, as it is all constructed out of the same essential units, i.e., atoms and subatomic particles. In addition, using dots allows me to suggest the fluid and impermanent nature of everything in the physical world, despite how things appear solid and permanent to our eyes. Rather than being in a state of completion, the forms in my work exist in a state of continuous creation and dissolution.

I am intrigued by how string theorists state that beyond the level of atoms and subatomic particles, all matter consists of vibrating filaments of energy, and is thus non-physical. Similarly, ancient Indian philosophers described the world as an illusion.

Although my work contains abstract qualities, I see it as primarily figurative. The figures I create, however, are of my own invention and contain disparate elements fused together.

Recurring patterns in nature have always interested me and my work incorporates the pattern that appears in neurons, tree branches and river networks as a major motif. I also explore the fractal nature of the physical world by creating an ambiguity of scale. The use of circles can suggest a glimpse into other realms, such as the view through a microscope or telescope.

An additional recurring motif is dots flowing across gaps between forms. This is inspired by Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam as well as photographs of nerve cells firing electrical impulses across the synaptic gap. Recent works reference additional subjects from Renaissance painting, including ascension/assumption and Olympus, re-interpreted with biomorphic dot forms.

My process begins with a pencil drawing. I then develop a study on paper using gouache and acrylics which I then expand into larger scale acrylic paintings on canvas. Additionally, I translate these ideas into sculpture using ping pong balls and other materials.