Breaking Boundaries Statement

Breaking boundaries is something for which I have endeavored since my early years. At a young age, I struck out on my own, traveling and living in different parts of the world before moving to the United States, where I have resided ever since.

As a result of my relocations, I learned new languages that enabled me, over the years, to converse with people from different places. Through these experiences, I learned something that is still not truly appreciated by many the world over—all people strive for the same things in life. I also discovered that the world was connected on an infinite number of levels and that one action reverberates throughout. It was this recognition that formed my beliefs about the need for the unity of peoples with each other and nature and the environment.

Though some conflicts inherently result from a matter of survival, I feel deeply that much discord in the world among peoples and between humans and other species can, in part, be attributed to the inclination of humans to view themselves as unconnected to that which surrounds them. A more harmonious world could be achieved with a balanced approach, one that recognizes our dependence on one another and our natural essence.

Achieving this balance necessitates the breaking of some well-established boundaries.

Humans are part of the animal world, mammals in particular. Mammals, as defined by Wikipedia, are “the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of mammary glands, which in females produce milk for the nourishment of young; the presence of hair or fur; and which have endothermic or “warm-blooded” bodies”. As such, our societies and behaviors are shaped not only by logic, but by our animal instinct as well.

Indeed, humans do have unique qualities, such as the complex nature of our minds, which set us apart from other animal species. These are the qualities that have led to the innovations that have allowed us to dominate the space, creatures and natural elements around us. However, while humans have a seemingly unending ability to shape this world, we are still dependent on the laws of nature, elements on which our own existence and our entire world depend, elements that are beyond our complete control.

Though the use of animals and animal products has, over time, been necessitated by our need to survive, we have increasingly subordinated animals and systematically degraded their right to enjoy a respectable existence. This has, invariably, resulted in greater conflict between us and other species. In fact, many of nature’s beings exhibit behaviors, which many would characterize as “human.” Chimpanzees and elephants mourn their dead. Dolphins, and other animals, have clear languages of communication that we were not able to detect until recently. Our separation from other species and disinterest in fully understanding their nature has left us largely uninformed about these facts.

The increasing separation that characterizes relations between the human and other species also extends into the human sphere. Inherent in the human circumstance are elements that have contributed to divisions within our species since early in our existence. Different languages and religions have acted to create separations, making the communication of ideas and viewpoints more complicated. And of course, physical attributes such as skin color have been used to divide. However, while there is much talk about globalization and the world becoming smaller, through television, computer use and other circumstances such as increased work hours, people are becoming more removed from one another.
Increasingly, we treat “strangers” in a way that is similar to our handling of other species. Strangers are targeted in a tribal sense and are often viewed in an unwelcoming way. This facilitates a negative pack mentality in which groups are against groups and the groups against the individual. It also contributes to the unsympathetic killing and dehumanized treatment of the “enemy” with whom we do not have a personal dispute.

Throughout my life I have actively worked to break the confines of tradition both personally and artistically. In my work I examine cross-sections of practices. The sanctity of styles in painting is artificial and, therefore, I do not recognize such boundaries between the different approaches of this medium.
My freedom as an artist is realized through my ability and willingness to treat any subject in my artwork. This particular body of work, which was based on the themes set forth in this statement, was conceived when reflecting on the human tragedies that have befallen the world of late.

Like an infant discovering life’s fundamentals through taste, smell, touch and the like, my work has been formed through a return to basics. I utilized a primitive impulse to observe the world around me and employed images I derived from numerous sources including media, art and personal contacts with people. Creating artwork is a process of discovery for the mind. It is also a means for attempting to understand the influences that shape our planet.

Through this exploration and my life’s travels, I have come to realize that home is a state of mind. Geographical place and heritage are irrelevant. We are all from the same source.

Our separation from one another and the natural world is a creation of our own minds and a result of our deeds. Though humans dominate the world in many respects, we are still at the mercy of the laws of nature. This necessitates our creating balance between animals and other living organisms, a practice shared by several non-dominating, harmonious cultures. Humans must also be cognizant of the need to improve our conduct vis-à-vis each other if we are ultimately to survive. I believe that by breaking the boundaries of our current beliefs and recognizing our relationship to one another and to all elements of nature we will improve our chance of survival.