Sometimes I will get a submission that just makes me smile.
Steven Riddle's work did that to me. I do not critique art work on the blog for a lot of reasons, mainly because that is not the point of ML4U...but there are times where it is hard for me to continually ignore trends and not comment on them. But again, that is not what the blog is here for...the absence of, I guess can say a lot more than my actual words can. However, like most people I can enjoy a good trend and get right behind them...as that is how they begin, no? I am seriously digressing here (I have a terrible head cold). What I want to say is that the gem and rainbow trend has been going full steam ahead for a while now...and listen I love a good rainbow as much as the next person, but how far can they go? I think Steven's work takes it to the next level. He emailed me yesterday sharing his work and explaining his concept and intent behind it. I love a good explanation when it comes to art. I immediately felt what he was doing. In his own words:
"My work explores
ideas of misperceptions and misrepresentations of nature. Natural rock formations known as geodes can
be artificially colored using
man-made methods. This results in the perversion of the original colors that are found in natural formations.
The dyed geodes display a
falsification of nature. Tchotchke markets exploit indigenous societies, stealing, altering, and in
return, profiting from their culture
through souvenirs sales. These mementos
have no cultural value, other than being a product of consumer driven economy. The misrepresentations add
to the destruction of cultural
traditions. I have chosen to work on paper because I view its physical properties [as] temporal, and [its] fragility as
appropriately related to the relationship between nature and indigenous cultures."
Steven uses gouache, spray paint, acrylic air brush paint, cut collage and host of other mediums in his work. He lives and works in Baltimore, Maryland.
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