|
|
 |
Artist Statement
Small
toy figurines, such as armymen and Fisher-Price little
people, are the primary subject matter for my work.
I place these toys in simple,
geometric settings to give the paintings a strong minimalist
presence.
The monochrome plastic toys function very well as solid
color shapes made up of spheres and cylinders. Finding
the proper proportion and balance
for these compositions is an important part of the
process.
These
paintings address questions of identity, politics and the psychological.
Plastic figures are toys designed
for young boys. They have no details - nothing to indicate
any individuality. Unlike
girls with their dolls, there is no emotional attachment
developed toward these toys. The toys are designed
to be organized and assembled. Boys
can fantasize about being leaders and partaking in
the glories of battle, essentially supporting myths
about what it takes to be a man. Painting
these figures larger than life seems to celebrate
these stereotypes, but the fact remains that they are merely
toys. The obvious questioning
of masculine roles is ultimately caught somewhere
between celebration and criticality.
Often,
these iconic figures are coupled with other objects to illustrate certain
political and philosophical
issues, usually in a humorous way. Beyond these issues,
the image takes
a nostalgic look
at a disappearing toy. Although far from innocent,
they seem less harmful than many of the high-tech video
games that hypnotize the youth of today.
|
