Post on 09-Mar-2016
description
It’s October 2008 and I’m on my knees in an old mildewy storeroom at the Guislain Mental Institution in Ghent, Belgium. What I consider providential circum-stances lead me to find a wealth of old photos; a remarkable, long forgotten visual archive of turn of the 20th century patients. In most cases the photographs I found were taken by Brother Ebergiste De Deyne (1887-1947), a pioneer in the mental health profession and author of “The Sensory Education of Abnormal Children”
(1922). My discovery and the ensuing research and study evolved into a work-cycle I have called Reviving Souls.
The Guislan inspiration has manifested in work of various media, including oil paintings on varnished Japanese paper, light-graffiti, video works, and
collaborative performance art/installation with sound artists.
Reviving Souls
“Lost Sounds” Collaborative performance art/installation with sound artists.
Les Atelier Claus, Brussels
Reviving Souls 4
“Look Into My Eyes”Oil on varnished Japanese paper
3 panels 3x 90/120 cm, 3x 35/47 inch
Reviving Souls 6
“Dear Jezus”Oil on varnished Japanese paper/wood
6 panels 6 x 35/42 cm, 14/16,5 inch
Reviving Souls 11
My recent most investigations are taking shape in a cycle I’ve entitled, Sensory Faculty. The works began as I was convalescing from a series of annoying physical maladies, and a minor surgery. In fact, some of my body issues were caused from
years of protracted exposure to the, not so healthful, chemicals associated with my various processes (involving paints and varnishes etc.).
Besides a focus on broader notions of sense perception, and sense memory, the specifically limiting (medical doctor prescribed) factor of wearing a protective mask began to feedback, to influence, my work. I then began to inquire about the cause and effect when limiting, or conversely over stimulating, other senses while I paint.
In concert with the painted works I have explored the theme, more allegorically perhaps, with animated stop motion murals and a recently begun ‘live cinema’
camera obscura installation.
Sensory Faculty