| Icon Artist Statement:
Christian themes dominate my work. My philosophical studies have been focused for years on the foundations of a religion that has been one of the world's super powers. This is reflected in my recent paintings series that explores the role of Icons in both the traditional and contemporary sense. Icon painting is conventionally based on very strict guidelines. They are usually copies of original images that are believed to be sanctioned by God. An Icon's power and validity was directly related to its level of resemblance to the original image. I have developed a series of work to include traditional compositions and the egg tempera medium; however, I have replaced the often-used silver revetment, which originally served to protect the images (and later to help speed up mass production by allowing less painted areas), with aluminum from our own contemporary consumer beverage icons. In today's world, Coca-Cola might be said to be more successful in converting masses to their product than any religion in history has been in converting people to their faith. Coca-Cola claims that more than 50 billion of their beverages are consumed every day. It would appear that mass consumerism has replaced Mass for many of us. The long-term effects of this new “religion” are still not clear. There is very little in our lives that is not effected by popular culture's exaltation of youth and consumption. It is my intention that my work opens a dialogue and an awareness of the effects of the consumerism that has created our own modern-day commercial Icons which so many have come to rely on and that influence our own personal values. |