Welcome ...
The connection between
religion, philosophy and abstract art is as much about the individual
as it is about the universal. The human mind longs to comprehend its
surroundings and to be recognised for its personal creativity and
individuality. Abstraction is the minds way of creating a level playing
field in an organised and otherwise structured world. Without
abstraction our minds are merely machines, computers with bodies
hanging below them. We utilise abstract thought to exercise free
expression, a tool which has made us the world's best problem solvers.
Abstract thought allows us to distance ourselves from all of the pain,
sorrow and bitterness that the world can throw at us. Abstract thought
provides us with the strength to put ourselves second, to lift our
minds from those of men into the realms of gods ... and abstract art is
how we can converse in the language of the gods.
Gods and Man were not designed to live on the same plane of existence,
but occasionally the two worlds can collide. In the world of mysticism
it is widely accepted that God talks to mankind by using miracles,
omens and angels. For mankind to make contact with God they need to
create something of such purity that it can pass between the planes
without contention. Images of the real world are often tarnished with
pain and sorrow, things that we humans take for granted, but which
would be too hard for heaven to accept. With abstract art we can show
the purity in our hearts, leaving behind the existential baggage that
would taint our intentions.
As an abstract artist we
represent all that is achievable in the human realm. We reach up to our
creators and hold our breaths in anticipation of their happiness in our
achievements. With abstract art we say "This is who we are and what we
have become".
For many millennia abstract art was prevalent in the form of cave art
and even in the creation of writing. Then our painting skills became
finely tuned and all we wanted to show was the beauty around us. Then
we found that to revel in the glory of God was no longer enough, we
needed to show the glory of Man. Over time it became obvious that
Mankind could be cruel, deceitful and untrustworthy. We lived in shame,
because we knew that deep down in our nature we were designed for
goodness. So we took our paint brushes and we painted what was in our
hearts and in our minds, so that God would see that we were full of
goodness and pure of thought, if not in our deeds.
As time progressed we began to
express ourselves abstractly using mediums other than paint. With the
development of technology we widen our interests, allowing our purity
to expand into new areas.
For over 20 years I have been
studying both Mysticism & Daoism, using experimental abstract
photography to reach inner parts which my mind has chosen to dismiss. I
find that abstraction is a great way to seek the truths that are
otherwise difficult to attain. I will explain my abstract photography
methods later, but suffice to say that I look for patterns that trigger
some sense of prime-evil satisfaction in myself and then lay these
images out for others to view without explanation.
Experimental Photography is
essentially the practice of extending ones photographic skills, beyond
the basic level, through self expression and experimentation. Most
people just want to take a balanced, colourful and sharp picture. They
are happy to use their camera's to make records of their family
milestones, holidays and personal achievements. The experimental
photographer has developed a deeper, more intense relationship with the
medium of photography. Very much as a painter strives for better
understanding of their paint, canvas, brushes and subject, the
experimental photographer desires an almost marital companionship of
their camera's, lenses, films and images.
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| To create something as
beautiful as poetry, as personal as sculpture and moving and
confrontational as dramatic dance or comedy. The experimental
photographer will dismiss all of their previous tuition and mentally
ignore any external influences in order to produce a body of work that
is truly reflective of the photographers inner artist.
A great deal of abstract
imagery is created by chance. The abstract artist creates the
environment from where the image, if conditions are favourable, will
emerge and may be then captured on film.
An abstract image is a
passionate, individual and prime evil creature, God given and so pure
that only the viewer who is able to totally open his mind to the image
can fully appreciate its deeper qualities ...
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Becoming an abstract
photographer is a little strange at first. Learning to forget
everything that you have ever learned about photographic theory and
practice. Many people find it completely impossible to grasp the idea
of photographing totally non-representational images. They have been
conditioned to believe that the photograph is a data recorder and
therefore they assume, rightly or wrongly, that the camera is the
rightful tool of the photographic journalist, the landscape or portrait
pictorialist or just the play thing of the casual holiday maker. This,
of course, need not be the case. It only takes a little bit of
imagination to transform your camera equipment into the tools needed to
create beautiful abstract photographs.
To think abstractly one must first lose the urge to represent the world
as pictures. The ego should have as little to do with abstract art
creation as is humanly possible. The best abstract art is that which is
totally automatic and removed from the trappings of existence. It is
preferable for the abstract photographer to be more a part of the
photographic process, leaving the image as pure and un-humanised as it
can be.
My particular method utilises
handmade lenses, microscopes, telescopes, inks, paints and water to
create an environment for images to present themselves to me. As with
the ancient soothsaying techniques of scrying I stir and mix my watery
media until it is sufficiently out of my conscious control and then
look closely into this abyss for signs that I might interpret. The
beauty of this system of photographic creativity is the way that I
become no more than an eye and a shutter release mechanism. I see, it
means something to me, so I click my shutter. My camera is my memory,
presenting me with images that I can later interpret with a heart that
is only seeking religious clarity.
I'm sure that this all sounds
like twaddle to you the reader. You probably visited my site to pick up
a few techniques in abstract photography and you find yourself
confronted by a religious nut, spouting about how his photography has
reached parts that other artistic processes have failed to reach. All I
would ask is for you to question your reasons for choosing abstract art
as your direction. If you just want any easy pass through art college,
that's fine. If you are bored and need a 'nothing to taxing' hobby,
fine too. But I'm here to tell you that abstract art is the gateway to
the Self and all it takes is a camera, some film and an open heart to
get closer to those universal forces that we have become so distant
from.
For Love, For Victory and For
the Grace of God ...
Latest Work ...
Why not take a look at the
New Range of Abstract
Images
Many Thanks ...
Please let me thank you for
taking the time to visit my website and consider me amongst so many
other talented photographers out there. I hope that you will appreciate
my individual qualities and enjoy collecting my Abstract Photographic
Artwork.
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