Mapping the Unknown, Iceland (2017- 2023)
"Mapping the Unknown" explores the landscape as a metaphor for human experience. The impetus was a two-month artist residency in a small community in Northern Iceland. I had also recently lost my first wife after 36 years of marriage.
My studio in Iceland was situated on the coastline of the Arctic Ocean allowing for expansive views during daily walks to and from my house. I began documenting the landscape and coastline through drawing and photography and recording thoughts and observations through writing. I also researched the geology of Iceland and the constantly shifting Eurasian and North American plates. I was particularly drawn to the Mid Atlantic Ridge and its unique partial visibility above sea level.
As the work progressed, I began combining simplified renderings of medical equipment with copies of my later wife's prescription warnings cut into strips and adhered to the surface. The next series of paintings focused on the Mid -Atlantic Ridge and featured abstracted diagrammatic landscapes and linear elements based on electrocardiogram readouts. After the residency I returned to my home studio. As the paintings evolved and new imagery emerged, I began to consider my experience in Iceland as an apt metaphor for coming to terms with grief and finding new hope in the beauty of life.
All work was completed using water based oil on wood or paper.
