Revealing Personhood

The work in this exhibit developed from an inquiry into the meaning of personhood, that is, the fulfillment of the unique potential within every human being. It is about people, as living icons or images, in various inner states of being, relationship to others and to the world. Western culture understands the person as an individual; I am interested in seeing the person, at once unique and in relation to others. Each one is situated in a more expansive identity than being seen alone. This viewpoint corresponds to a relational aesthetic, and extends the dialogue cross-culturally, beyond contemporary notions of individuality. As the common saying of South African peoples expresses,” A person is a person through a person.”My approach in this project originated from being intentional about searching out and honoring the intrinsic beauty of personhood, and about integrating artistic practice and sacred tradition. The images form from what is here and now, both hidden and revealed, using the silent language of the icon, in theory and in practice. The images of people whom I see and the interior portraits I make from intentional acts of seeing are joined in the crucible of the present moment. The immediacy of experiences in relationship are brought into the daily work; through this symbolic language, I work to reveal something of the deeper meaning of each human life. Through my art, I hope to dissolve the barrier between artistry and life. May this also say something of substance to the viewer.