In 2012, as I reworked an image of a graphite box (a storage space for the human soul), an “aha” moment occurred. The box that I had been obsessed with for the past 16 years, this storage house of information of consciousness was really about the internet. Upon realizing this an investigation into the internet occurred and subsequently a 12 piece body of work unfolded. Essentially,this body of work is an exploration of how the “cloud” relates to consciousness.
The structure of each painting is the same. The internet, a box shape placed in the center of the composition is surrounded by elements from the physical world extending to the borders of the canvas. The paintings are filled with symbolism pertaining to the subject matter explored. Realistic rendering of shapes surrounding the box then become broken down into bits and bytes of information within the box/internet area. The subject matter ranges from technology companies to objects in nature. For example, “Eucalyptus” is the cloud company that created the platform for Amazon. “Blue” references IBM, “Halo” the popular video game, “The Purple Project” Apple’s name for the IPhone’s secret project.
The structure of each painting is the same. The internet, a box shape placed in the center of the composition is surrounded by elements from the physical world extending to the borders of the canvas. The paintings are filled with symbolism pertaining to the subject matter explored. Realistic rendering of shapes surrounding the box then become broken down into bits and bytes of information within the box/internet area. The subject matter ranges from technology companies to objects in nature. For example, “Eucalyptus” is the cloud company that created the platform for Amazon. “Blue” references IBM, “Halo” the popular video game, “The Purple Project” Apple’s name for the IPhone’s secret project.
Template Series - Finding Spirit in the Cloud
Templates of the Human Soul2004
Graphite and Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
Self Portrait
2012
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2012
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
Eucalyptus
2012
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2012
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
The Purple Project
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
“The Purple Project”, the name for Apple's secret project - the IPhone, depicts a physical IPhone, our present day vehicle for communication, a connector of sorts. In the background a purple aura references a state of equilibrium and open awareness. The box/internet symbol is placed on top of the IPhone indicating its’ obstinate continuance over all things material and finally, the overall composition is comprised of a mandala shape representing the universe. As the viewer identifies with an object from our everyday lives, the non-material persists.
Blue
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
Halo
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
Wave
2012
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2012
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
Wheat
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
The Network View
2013
Acrylic. and coloured pencil on canvas
4' x 5'
2013
Acrylic. and coloured pencil on canvas
4' x 5'
While researching the origins of the internet, I discovered a fun app which mapped out the URL directory visually. Interestingly, the structure of the map resembled a jellyfish. When I typed in my IP address I could find my location way at the bottom in one of the smallest circles. IP addresses, are not linked to a physical brick and mortar dwelling like our home addresses are and I found a correlation of this to my notions of consciousness. In my painting “The Network View”, the URL map depicted by varying sizes of white circles interfaces with the background and the box shape in the middle ground, all elements being one and the same, interconnected, physical, and non-physical.
Lemongrass
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
Amaryllis
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
A Crystal World2013
Acrylic on Canvas
4' x 5'
