The Sporozoan Suite: An Exploration of Perception
For over three decades, The Sporozoan has been more than a project; it's been an evolving philosophy centered on the act of seeing. It hinges on that serendipitous moment when a viewer pauses, looks closer, and invests their time. In that instant, The Sporozoan takes hold, urging a deeper exploration—not just of the artwork, but of the viewer's own inner landscape. It's an invitation to confront the spectrum of human experience: joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, the duality of good and evil, masculine and feminine. The Sporozoan is a journey into the self, mirrored in the art.
Currently, The Sporozoan Suite unfolds across five distinct chapters, each a unique vantage point on its existence. These interconnected pieces engage in a visual dialogue, constantly evolving and hinting at the potential for new chapters yet to come.
Initially confined to the realm of "The Cavities" prints, The Sporozoan's influence has expanded, now permeating my paintings and drawings. After dwelling within my thoughts for so long, it has manifested in all aspects of my work.
The Sporozoan Cavities: Genesis
The Sporozoan Cavities is a suite of 16 intaglio prints, each a representation of The Sporozoan in its myriad forms. Its origin can be traced back to 1991 and an intaglio print titled "Robin." Robin, a figure drawing class model at Pratt Institute, was a compelling subject—a dancer with an exceptional physique. However, his incessant chatter proved distracting. One day, frustration led me to deconstruct him in my drawing, tearing him apart limb from limb. This act of artistic dismemberment resulted in a series of drawings, one of which became an intaglio print: a fragmented figure, a slab of meat with an open chest cavity. Unbeknownst to me then, this was the birth of The Sporozoan. It took nearly 13 years for the concept to fully coalesce, and it continues to evolve even now. The suite includes fifteen 24"x18" prints and one 24"x36" print. The plates are complete and proofed, but the suite awaits printing. Five complete sets will be reserved from the edition of 25.
The Sporozoan Swarm: Activating Space
"The Sporozoan Swarm" is a dynamic, ongoing installation. It's composed of torn intaglio prints, some bearing additional drawings, pinned to the wall in a free-form arrangement that activates the surrounding space, telling a visual story. The resulting lines and masses evoke forms found in nature, creating a push and pull through light and shadow, mass and line, depth and angle. The pins piercing the paper hint at insect taxidermy, addiction, and the complex interplay of pain and pleasure.
The Sporozoan Trophies: A Commentary on Value
"The Sporozoan Trophies" serve as a metaphor for art collecting at its highest level, where art often becomes a symbol of wealth. While acknowledging this reality, these pieces offer a subtle critique. Created from prints specifically made for this purpose, they are mounted on plaques, incorporating steel wire, string, rice paper, and pigmented resin.
The Sporozoan Shrine: An Interior World
"The Sporozoan Shrine" is a single, immersive piece—an interior space formed from woven intaglio prints. Within this space resides a sculpture, consisting of a table and two objects. This work is currently in development.
The Sporozoan Habitats: An Origin Story
"The Sporozoan Habitats" evolved from "The Swarm." I felt the larger installations needed an anchor, a central point of origin. Unlike insects, The Sporozoan spreads serendipitously, like spiderlings on the wind, casting its web, waiting to be seen, and then traveling on in the viewer's mind. The Habitat, then, is less a home and more a source—a source that is me, that is that day in 1991 when Robin's annoyance sparked an artistic transformation.