Artist Statement
This body of work is titled, Three Ws (Webs, Water, Wrinkles). Three groups of images are combined to create single photographic prints. My creative work has been influenced by many artists including Imogen Cunningham, Richard Debenkorn, David Hockney, André Masson, Olivia Parker, Elliot Porter, Aaron Siskind, Pat Steir, and Minor White. My M.F.A. thesis work was categorized as “fabricate to photograph” – creating materials to be photographed. I categorize this current series as “photograph to fabricate” – combining separate images to create a singular piece. Three Ws features a visual vernacular including natural forms, movement, reflections, textures, and paintings combined with the veracity of photographic images. Another aspect of the work is to present images that appear to be beautiful from a distance and upon closer examination include dust, aged/dried material, and sometimes evidence of aggression.
Webs. These images were processed soon after the 2016 presidential election. Due to this timing, I connected the literal aspects of a spider web to the impact of the Web and social media. As a metaphor, the “stickiness” of a web, makes it difficult for a victim to move and that individuals may have become entrenched or stuck in their “echo chambers” via social media. Being stuck may obscure one’s view and ability to see the world from a wider perspective. Beyond metaphoric references, spider webs are visually compelling, especially when delineated by water droplets that help to reveal geometric structure.
Water. These images feature koi fish swimming in water. The movement of water is fascinating, revealing layers of information and reflections. The use of a camera allows the capturing of movement and abstract forms by adjusting shutter speeds and levels of focus. Metaphorically, these images remind me of agitated crowds of individuals and issues that have been ignored, “swimming” below the surface that have emerged and need to be engaged and addressed.
Wrinkles. These images consist of portions of my abstract paintings (some from graduate school), combined with floral elements. For me, these photographs of dried wrinkled elements and old paintings represent time passing, the beauty of perseverance, and the knowledge that change is a process and not just an event. I know from first hand experience, periods of transition can be challenging but necessary and worthwhile.
When combining images, I consider formal aspects of the work such as composition as well as metaphor. Special attention is focused upon the “conversation” between photographs at the edge of images. In regard to the titles, I chose active verbs related to the current political climate and actions as a reminder to resist adapting to a “new normal”. I am intrigued by the power of words, and the desire to add meaning by applying labels to individuals as well as pieces of art. Therefore, these pieces are visual metaphors with titles that may connect to meaning beyond the images themselves.
Thank you in advance for exploring my work,
Meryl P. Epstein, Ed.D., M.F.A.
