Patrick Kelly

Artist Statement  In an attempt to first establish a relationship with the canvas, I begin with a sweeping gestural mark, often a circle or an X, hand done and loosely arrived at. From there I construct a more rigid geometry that sets up a dialectical tension or opposition between two interacting forces or elements. Alternating between strict geometric and more loosely arrived at gestural forms,  I try bringing them to a compatible relationship, bringing two acts together, that were previously hostile or indifferent to one another. Each tends to be a separate unit or diverse fragment of experience dependent upon or subordinate to the other. Thus the painting becomes an investigation of process and image-making, a process of change in which a concept or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its opposite. These two events become harmoniously confused and result in order and variety. All things differ, yet all agree.

 

I like to think of my paintings as a place to go, comparable to entering a landscape, where you seek out order and variety; a place that can be both mystical and physical and possibly even magical.  A place that is rich with contrast in both color and form. I want the paintings ultimately to be beautiful conceptually, physically and spiritually.