Most of my work
focuses on the metaphoric quality of common objects. The subject
matter may include: children's toys, grooming accessories, sexual
aids, food, or tools. Sometimes I employ objects of supernatural
qualities such as divining rods, masks or spiritual fetish objects
in the paintings. The work may result in objects placed contextually
in a still life setting, or more ambiguous spaces. Although my primary
concern is with the metaphors that these common objects present
I am continually in awe of the vast possibilities ideas presented
by the simple juxtaposition of two or more objects are in the same
painting. My approach to painting is personal and intuitive. During the creative process I try to think as little as possible about this work and let the subjects surface from my subconscious. The result is highly suggestive by its contents and symbolically loaded with historic metaphors. However, this material develops from entirely personal experiences and through obsessions. The subjects of my paintings - as well as the objects within them - hold personal metaphors, meanings, and obsessions; I believe it is in the viewer's better interest if my interpretations about the paintings is kept at a minimum. People are less adventurous than they seem and I have found that if I go into the realm of possible meanings of the work, this will be as far as they will venture. I have also found that if I prepare an acuminate statement about the work it is those very words that typically come back to haunt me. Pj Mills, 2008 |
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