Stan Bowman: Running Wild

Artist(s):

Stan Bowman

Title:

Running Wild

Exhibition:

SIGGRAPH 2002: Art Gallery
More artworks from SIGGRAPH 2002:

Creation Year:

2002

Medium:

inkjet on paper

Size:

22 x 29 inches

Artist Statement:

I am a digital artist and a painter. Since the 1980s, my work has been about peculiar juxtapositions of everyday objects into unusual and fascinating combinations. Having started my work in photographs, I now continue with digital compositions. My recent work is about separating everyday objects and grouping them into a new context. Fuses and fishing lures create a provocative contrast, and a plastic inflatable owl with zippers is an intriguing combination. A pair of jumper cables grips a pair of socks, mysteriously. All are against a black spatial background, emphasizing improbable fantasies. On one hand, it is the throw away character of our culture today that catches my eye and interest and causes me to use everyday objects that become something else when scanned and collaged into a digital image. Secondly, it is my delight to create surprising juxtapositions of objects that keep my interest and hopefully those of other viewers. Thirdly, I am interested in creating a flight of fancy, a world that is dreamlike, with commonplace objects that are pictured clearly but change meaning by being in a new and different context. Finally, I am a colorist, creating emotive worlds that establish and embellish the meanings of places and objects. My full line of current work can be seen at my Web site: www.stanbowman.com/

Technical Information:

When I am working in my studio, I primarily use a computer and a flatbed scanner. My main program is Photoshop, but recently I have begun to use a new 2D/3D program called Zbrush, made by Pixologic. For a background, sometimes I scan paint on glass, and at other times I make the background in Zbrush. Objects are scanned and then imported into Photoshop. Recently, I have been using Zbrush for the complete image. Images are then printed out on a wide-format printer in my studio, matted, and framed for display in exhibitions.

Process Information:

All work is completed in my studio. However, I do go out to find objects for my compositions. My favorite activity is visiting yard sales and flea markets to find unusual and colorful objects for scanning. Sometimes I find organic objects in the landscape around my house (leaves, branches, rocks, etc.), which I take back to my studio for scanning. Sometimes I buy vegetables at a local supermarket or farmers market, which I scan fresh and then leave to rot and change color, and then scan again.