Project: PERSON PLACE OR THING • Exhibition • 2017
Person, Place or Thing was the title of my second solo exhibition. It was a multimedia exhibition of paintings, sculpture, photographs, words and repurposed objects held at The Studio Door’s North Park gallery.
I threaded myself through the exhibition in order to ground the works in reality yet provide a kaleidoscopic mirror to use as a basis for understanding the realm of self.
The exhibition was divided into three parts. The first part was a series of paintings inspired by the elements of Film Noir to deconstruct my cis gender gay identity. The second part was an evolving work of multimedia that documented metamorphosis and self acceptance. The third part was a look at the creative process behind the creation of Brotherhood Tarot.
Q&A
Why the title of the exhibition?
I chose the impersonal definition of the word ‘noun’ for an exhibition on individuality. By using such an impersonal definition, I hoped to get to the root of the odd dichotomy between the perception of a person that we see in front of us and the reality who that person is.
All three parts of the exhibit, including the in-exhibit transformative pieces, were an effort to have the viewer look beyond face value and explore what makes a person who they are.
Was there a particular work that stood out for you as an artist?
This was a highly personal project so the pieces continue to resonant with me over the years. One piece has had a life of its own beyond the exhibition. The work entitled Metamorphosis.
My life partner, artist Danne Sadler worked with me to create a life-sized canvas. This second skin played a pivotal role in the exhibit. First as a naked doppelgänger, then as a screen for projected images of my childhood, and finally as a painted representation of adulthood. Since then it has continued to transform reflecting fortitude, imperfection and self-acceptance. I revisit it almost annually as it moves between my home, studio and gallery.
