Musings of a Sensitive Artist

Sunday, August 27

The Search For Balance

Harmony. Proportion. Symmetry. Homeostasis. Median. Compromise. Equality. Neutrality. We are all in pursuance of balance, seeking a core essence from which all things emanate. A midpoint between extremes. A grey card that aligns all values. A certain ebb and flow of adversary forces that permeate our existence. It is this rhythmic beat that allows the possibility of harmonies: layered degrees of extremes interacting, converging, diverging, communicating, and engaging one another. Together creating and culminating in a single vibrance. Life is a constant juxtaposition. It is this dichotomy that creates equilibrium: each force canceling out its opposite.
©Copyright 2006 Jennie R Poston

Posted by SensitiveArtist :: 2:41 PM :: 3 comments

Saturday, August 26

Michael Queenland: Photographs, Sculpture, and Shaker Classics

Reflective, quiet, minimalist, mysterious, intriguing, nostalgic, these are just a few of the ways to describe Michael Queenland: Photographs, Sculpture, and Shaker Classics. The exhibit deals largely with Michael's exploration of the dimensions of thought and circulation. In a sense Michael attempts to dissect the human psyche: delving into areas of curiosity, memory, observation, and human connection. He draws viewers into his simplistic forms and compositions by injecting an air of mystique, or as he refers to it, the wonder of the mundane. Once absorbed in a piece, the viewer is confronted with the nostalgia of found objects. In particular, Memorabilia and Standing Brooms until All or None Fall Over implore the viewer to ponder each object's past. Through this exploration we stumble upon another of Queenland's themes: the circulation of thought and knowledge. Found objects become metaphors for all that is passed amongst humanity.

Michael's work is also deeply concerned with process: not only the psychological processes of the viewer, but the physical process of creating each piece. There is a great deal of care placed on craft and aesthetic. Aside from the formal aspect of the process, he often allows for chance to play a role in his creations. He enjoys pushing the viewer's expectations of what art is and what will or did happen.

Queenland's work mimics his own demeanor through subtle aesthetics paired with conceptual poignancy. His pieces are quiet, yet powerfully magnetic. We are captured by awe and continually rewarded as we discover layer upon layer of complexity. His work provides both an opportunity for reflection and a springboard for thought.
©Copyright 2005 Jennie R Poston

Posted by SensitiveArtist :: 1:04 AM :: 1 comments

Friday, August 25

The Nature of Artists

I've been reading the writings of a young sculptor, Jenny Read, and they have led me to reflect on the nature of artists. It continues to amaze me how similar our thoughts are. It causes me to wonder if we are all searching for the same unspoken truths. Following different paths, longing to stumble upon the answers to the questions embedded so deep within. Artists walk the line between quiet and bold. We possess reflectivity and sensitivity combined with the courage to face our fears-to question and explore them through our work. We absorb the world around us, become living catalysts, and strive to capture a fragment of the life we so intensely observe. Artists are led by passion and a desire to lay bare the soul. As with all humanity, artists differ widely in our interests, interpretations, and perspectives, but beyond our diversity we are all searching. We are searching for glimpses of truth-nuggets of insight that speak to something within us. Our work is the embodiment of our search. Art is not static, but alive, constantly evolving with emerging cultural context, varying interpretations, and continued dialogues. It is a forum for the artist's search to converge with that of the viewer. The power of artists lies in their ability to impact humanity.
©Copyright 2006 Jennie R Poston

Posted by SensitiveArtist :: 10:41 PM :: 0 comments