Artist Statement | 2013
Daniel Thomson
My main influence for this series of art works was cave art and expressive forms of art. I wanted the images to capture the juxtaposition between expressive and basic forms of mark making and contemporary digital technology. My reasoning for using digital mediums that are often seen as cold and artificial to create my work is because from my own experience I find these mediums to be the most accessible and easy to communicate through.
I believe that by creating a contrast between these styles the work may directly reference our evolution and new technologies place within it, and so I have explored non figurative forms of expressive art; utilizing a fundamental method of mark making that treads a line between impulse and intention.
By simplifying expression to an almost primal method, I feel I can address an intuitive collective connection and create an emotive response. By bringing a feeling of the human hand into a digitally created work the computer is my own cave wall which is a record of my experiences.
This idea of the ‘Synthetic’ vs. ‘Natural’ is also evident in the play between the more subtle natural earthy tones and the man-made more expressive brighter pinks, greens, reds and blues.
The bright pinks and reds are indicative of a flame or torch, as this symbolises not only the intensity and warmth fire provides, but also as a symbol of a tribal gathering or ceremonial events.
The natural pastel colours reference my experience of the Australian bush, as part of my need to connect to a landscape that I feel disconnected from.
I believe that a greater understanding of mankind’s collective evolution can lead to an indiscriminate community, and that contemporary digital technologies can act as portals to information and experiences that are capable of teaching these values. So while our evolution is no longer reliant on a biological development, I believe that humanity will begin to evolve in a philosophical sense rather than a physical one, and has the potential to change from close mindedness to a more accepting and open community.
Daniel Thomson
My main influence for this series of art works was cave art and expressive forms of art. I wanted the images to capture the juxtaposition between expressive and basic forms of mark making and contemporary digital technology. My reasoning for using digital mediums that are often seen as cold and artificial to create my work is because from my own experience I find these mediums to be the most accessible and easy to communicate through.
I believe that by creating a contrast between these styles the work may directly reference our evolution and new technologies place within it, and so I have explored non figurative forms of expressive art; utilizing a fundamental method of mark making that treads a line between impulse and intention.
By simplifying expression to an almost primal method, I feel I can address an intuitive collective connection and create an emotive response. By bringing a feeling of the human hand into a digitally created work the computer is my own cave wall which is a record of my experiences.
This idea of the ‘Synthetic’ vs. ‘Natural’ is also evident in the play between the more subtle natural earthy tones and the man-made more expressive brighter pinks, greens, reds and blues.
The bright pinks and reds are indicative of a flame or torch, as this symbolises not only the intensity and warmth fire provides, but also as a symbol of a tribal gathering or ceremonial events.
The natural pastel colours reference my experience of the Australian bush, as part of my need to connect to a landscape that I feel disconnected from.
I believe that a greater understanding of mankind’s collective evolution can lead to an indiscriminate community, and that contemporary digital technologies can act as portals to information and experiences that are capable of teaching these values. So while our evolution is no longer reliant on a biological development, I believe that humanity will begin to evolve in a philosophical sense rather than a physical one, and has the potential to change from close mindedness to a more accepting and open community.