Saturday 25 September 2010

…not a statement

Just came across this here: http://douglaswitmer.com/not-a-statement/
a statement by American artist Douglas Witmer

statementimg01

A painting is not a statement. It is the evidence of painting.

Painting is a relationship. The relationship is ongoing. To paint is an act of devotion in the relationship.

I want to believe that in the relationship of painting the act of painting is its own reward.

I want to believe that the relationship of painting, when one devotes oneself to it, extends beyond the boundaries of a painting, however indefinite or unmeasureable this extension may seem to be.

I want to believe that the relationship of painting values inquiry over conclusion.

To attempt to be conclusive in painting is to attempt to make paintings that are, in effect, statements.

Attempting to make a statement with a painting undermines the idea that painting is a relationship.

These words are a statement and they are not painting.

Thursday 16 September 2010

Paint Your Own Pictures

Tired of heavy theory? Too many nice 'coffee table' style painting books cluttering up your place? Pop into your nearest second hand bookshop where you might find this type of thing- when books were made for popping in your pocket for a handy read every now and then. When art books came from UNESCO, not Taschen!