Brent Witters

Assemblages: I'm an autodidactic artist with some formal training in photography and a family background in antique dealing. These facts show through in my assemblage work which could be classified as California funk/junk art. Most of the materials used in the assemblages are discarded making a social statement on environmentalism and our consumer based society and putting an emphasis on the creative process.  Many of the objects used in the assemblages have been rendered technologically obsolete so they reflect the history that has created our current techno/screen based culture.  This is especially true of the photographic and optical objects common in my work. 

I'm drawn towards the beauty in the patina evident on materials as a statement of time passage.  The assemblages are deliberately ambiguous and without narrative allowing for the beholders share to finish the work. The objects used in the works will be recognized and carry with them different associations for each person viewing the work.  The ultimate goal is to create an object of beauty that effects the viewers perspective that will ultimately alter their consciousness. I may be a bit too lofty, but it is an interesting challenge nonetheless.  I hope you enjoy them.

Paintings:   My painting method is an exploration of the material properties of paint.  Series #58, Chemical reaction paintings, explore the various patterns created by the paint with particular interest in reaction-diffusion and morphogenesis  patterns.  Morphogenesis ( The biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape) provides a link between the primordial soup and life.  These concerns with chemical reactions combine with more painterly notions such as color, material, depth, perspective and surface to create this series of paintings.  The paints and fluids used are primarily discarded materials.  These creates a link between the work and culture at large in a uniquely current and time period specific way.  The colors were chosen by someone else prior to being discarded with much of the paint being used by someone in their home.  Compositionally linear elements (man made) are juxtaposed with the organic forms in an intuitive way with a wide range of color pallets to create the final painting.  I consider this series, like most scientific inquiry,  a step forward towards an ultimately unknown outcome.

Bio: Brent has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.