Profane Abuse...

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on June 16, 2013 at 7:42am

Curator’s Comment:

 

The paintings in your ‘Religion of the Earth/Profane Abuse’ series speak volumes about a multitude of moral crimes, and do so in a manner that successfully seduces the viewer into the space. I’m most drawn to this piece, Profane Abuse of Animals. Part of its success for me arises from the avoidance of overly visceral or graphic exploitation of blood and carnage.  The gnashed teeth of the dog as a loose focal point allows other animal forms to spin off the center- including the brightly colored chicks that provide some visual if not psychological relief. While media isn’t identified, the (watercolor/media?) washes present smooth, almost softened transitions of warm and cool color.  The overall violet tonality is tinted towards red, and while I do read the red area around the pig as blood, the hues and contrasts of value aren’t menacing.  The companion piece, Profane Human Abuse questionably presents the figures in a more ghoulish manner. Seen as ghosts or spirits in the semi-transparent medium, the central white coated figure carries the most visual weight and opacity.  Without direct reference to physical aggression, the abuse transpiring is much less obvious.  I do make out some small baby like figures, and perhaps the central more yellowish head suggests a fetus?  In both cases the viewer is pulled into the rich textural space to bear witness to atrocities that are just below the surface.