My work derives primarily from personal narrative. The subject matter comes from dreams, nightmares, memories, and my emotional reaction to the world around me.
The process of making art involves transforming our sensory experiences into mental constructs. These mental constructs are analyzed by our conscious and subconscious mind, and then translated into images.
It is similar to the process of “Picturing” in philosophy.
We “Picture” things with our imagination.
The amazing thing to me is that most of this is invisible, mental activity. Through “Picturing” we bring form to these mental constructs.
I borrow much from the techniques of poetry. I try to express my ideas through the compressed language of metaphor and allegory. I try to stimulate the senses of my viewers through the use of color and texture and movement. I try to draw empathy from my viewers through the use of personification.
Paint and canvas are crude materials to use to express such delicate things, but it’s all I’ve got.
Ed Rath
28 September, 2006
