My artistic influences

In reflecting on my work, I found individuality to be a major influence.  Michel Foucault discusses the philosophy behind the author.  He states the usage of the "author" marks the “individualiz(ing)” of ideas.  Organizing art by individuals structures a new genera discovery.  To me individual ideas developed by one person is is crucial to the practice of art.  Not to say art by any means is it a monocentric experience but to produce work one must know their self.  Art is about cooperation and sharing yourself and what only you can create.  It is very much a dialogue. 


I am inspired by this type of communication.  Every person has something different to say, and teach.  Art does not polarize (simplify) a person, it expresses them with depth not found anywhere else.  I explore anomalies, mutations, uniqueness, adaptation and epiphanies because my life revolves around these mysteries.  I work because I like learning.


Specific modern and post-modern artists I share practices with are Warhol and Duchamp.  Warhol worked in many mediums and styles.  He stress adaptation to an evolving (art) world.  In an interview he states, "you ought to be able to be an Abstract Expressionist next week or a pop artist or a realist without feeling you've given up something. "  I feel this is very true.  An artist explores and solves; working from many different angles generates insight.

Duchamp's concept of the readymade was revolutionary.  He made art without aesthetics, just the object its self.  Looking at the function and physicality of the world is unique (insane).  Duchamp created readymades "never dictated by aesthetic delectation."  I think ideas such as the readymade has strongly influenced art.  












I like contemporary artist Will Wilson.  He includes elements of history, his identity, technique and concept. His photograph Autoimmune Response # 5 portrays himself, a Navajo man, with traditional hair and mud paint in a post-apocalyptic landscape wearing respirators.  He is alluding to the 1979 flooding of a New Mexico reservation with radio active waist.  The photo portrays a struggle for life and the right to life; the man's respirator hoses are loose in the wind being ripped around at a surreal speed as if they are fragmenting.  He is mirrored in the photo so there are two of him back to back with arms (one left, one right) outstretched, presumably holding a camera (because none else can).  Overall the photo captures feelings of inhumanity and uncertainty in a difficult existence.  His work made me stop.