Jacqueline May
Austin, TX
Artist's Statement:
Creating art is both a sensuous process and a cognitive exploration for me. Exploring the visual and the visceral brings me to new concepts undiscovered through purely intellectual channels. As I perceive it, the strongest element in my work's content is on a complex spiritual, emotional, and personal level. I try to avoid direct and unambiguous statements; to me the direct transmittal of a concept is not art without the complex nuances which make it enjoyable. The viewer is required to process the visual information in an intuitive effort leading to deeper rewards.
The aesthetic aspect of my work is extremely important, yet I aspire to a beauty which does not derive its strength from aesthetic appeal alone, but from the relationships among the facets of experience to which it refers. For this reason the work must be different for every viewer. Yet somehow there is communication. I don't really intend my work to tell the story of my life or my ego, although certainly I use personal experiences as a source and a reference point. What else would I use? But what the viewer experiences is just as valid as my own intent.
The styles and imagery I use vary. If I liked to do the same thing every day I would have chosen a different career. But themes do emerge over time to be repeated and explored in different contexts. I use imagery which is often somewhat obscure, choosing what excites me personally, accepting inspiration from such varied sources as biology textbooks, religious experiences, and the rituals surrounding daily physical acts. Often I simply "take a line for a walk," allowing chance to open new possibilities. I read new meanings in random occurrences, creating a dialogue with myself as I layer thought upon thought.
I like creating artwork. Hope you can get some enjoyment from it too.
