Resin layering, memory and paint

"What I remember the story to be." My work explores the notion of "in between." I am interested in the space, time and psychological atmosphere that exists among people, events and their recollections of these moments. I work to present these spaces as consecutive, painted layers that reveal and conceal each other and a singular historical photographic event. This process creates multiple present “memories.” From one event multiple memories, or different points of view, can be created.

This work explores the metaphorical connection between transparency and memory, more specifically the clarity of memory. The photographic image is a static point in the past, it documents the event that happened. The resin layer allows for the obscuring or revealing of the past and functions like memory. The resin is applied in layers; in this instance, six on each side of the photographic image. The layering represents segments of time, much like geological strata, that we can see through and excavate the past, visually.

Aside from being metaphors for memory, these paintings also diagram time and divergent outcomes. The layering starts from one fixed image and progresses outward in two directions, the front and the back, each layer becoming “more present” and influenced by the previous layers. This process creates two present “points of view”, each originate and evolve from a singular, common past event.

-©2003 Neil Johnston