The abstract shapes in Ferries, or, Ferries for an Ignorant Fool, derive from the Tantric tradition of paintings meant to be copied in order to transport the meditator toward enlightenment. As a Westerner, I am drawn to interpret the meditative forms as though they have something to teach me in spite of my ignorance of the depth of the teachings that are transmitted in the Tantric tradition. I have taken the liberty of translating these images with respect and the eye either of “a passionate amateur” or an intrepid fool. (See reference in Tantra Song: Selected and with writings by Franck Andre Jamme).
These paintings are created with oxidized metallic paints and gouache fixed with Renaissance Wax developed by the British Museum.
I’m also inspired by early Hubble silver halide photographs, passages from the Tao Te Ching, the Buddhist concept of emptiness, Andy Warhol’s oxidation paintings.
