Works on Paper

2007-2009
30”x20” archival inkjet print

I constructed and photographed landscapes out of tinfoil in my studio with a single light source. The scales vary from very large to small but the material and light limited. The work is inspired by specific explorations into water and landscape; the everyday; 'dark romantic' writers such as Conrad and Melville and photography of Sugimoto.

For all that has been said of the love that certain natures (on shore) have professed to feel for it, for all the celebrations it had been the object of in prose and song, the sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness.

-Joseph Conrad, The Mirror of the Sea

Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off--then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.

- Herman Melville, Moby Dick

Seascape made out of tinfoil