Existing comment:
JOSEPH SHETLER
Untitled (quiet in the city)
Mixed acrylic ground, graphite powder, marble dust, and silverpoint on panel
48 x 36 x 2 in.
Courtesy of the artist
ARTIST STATEMENT
The value of simplicity in my upbringing has greatly inspired my practice, both conceptually and aesthetically. Raised in a Mennonite family, the idea of simplicity pervades all aspects of life.
As summer approached, health guidelines and curfews were used by the police to brutalize and oppress communities of color. We witnessed the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. More and more scenes of racial injustice came to the forefront of our collective consciousness. The act of listening, practicing empathy, recognizing our biases, and making conscious decisions to deconstruct them seemed to be the best way to remain objective.
The work itself is an exploration and appreciation of materials. It is filled with contradictions that make it utterly human. I see Untitled (quiet in the city) as a reflection of our COVID-19-era consciousness. Those who could escape did, leaving behind deserted streets and an eerie calm. This vacancy provided an opportunity to see inside and outside of context, to be objective and remain present in simplicity. |