Ted Ramsay
Spatial Narratives in Paint
February 12 – March 23, 2013
Opening Reception
Friday, February 15, 2013
7 – 9 pm
with music by UM Emeritus Professor Jim Dapogny
Artist Statement:
“In my figure paintings I strive for an aura of magic and mystery tempered with a subjective but believable dose of reality. Painted elements suggest but never tell the complete narration as in realistic painting. The viewer senses a comprehension of human anatomy although finds that the aesthetics of paint dominate the visual image. Paint describes the light reflecting from the surfaces of the subjects and brings meaning to the form. Pictorial shapes allude to representing natural phenomena but foremost they serve as a break up of spatial compositional forms. The placement of animals, human forms, or objects framed by architectural or natural structures function for symbolic and compositional reasons rather than for realism’s sake. These deliberate incongruities contribute to the unique aesthetic of my work. Reality and fantasy connect as the viewer’s eye passes over my painted narrative compositions.
Art should communicate on multiple aesthetic levels. For me there is the comprehension of subject matter telling a story, balanced by the aesthetic use of medium and the artist’s personal sense of spatial narration where abstract space and forms define their own narrative (visual) content.
I would describe my work as narrative. It is about the human condition, the feelings of joy, loss, fear and loneliness. A unique figure painting is much more than simply rendering a realistic or photographic likeness of the subject; it is a unique point of view, a strong color sensibility that contributes to mystery and structure, and an unpredictable but utterly believable use of pigment to describe the anatomy of the human or animal form.
One tries to hold on to the original content of the form but it is often expressed better by a new image as the painting develops and takes on its own being. Chance taking and pushing the limits of one’s present knowledge and skills is the only way to grow as an artist. The satisfaction of these breakthroughs is reward enough to keep me coming back to the easel.”
— Ted Ramsay
