Art in the hands of philosophy

2024

Oil paint on canvas

The artwork is inspired by trends in contemporary art to elevate philosophy-or the concept- above the art in and of itself. This complacency largely neglects recognition of the peculiar phenomena of humanity which stubbornly persists on creating. The abolishment of a hierarchical low-art high-art systemization lends itself to the collapse of the tangible qualities of art as points of evaluation, pointing towards concepts as the virtuous tie through which all artwork can be evaluated. Compositionally, I reinforce this concept of hierarchy, placing the figure of philosophy above the figure of art. Further, the placement of the figures creates an implied diagonal line which is disrupted by the figure of the bottom, introducing a tension of symmetry and asymmetry-here, I draw on associations of symmetry with the divine.

36 x 24 inches