Josh Sands-Just A Memory

Statement from the show:

A Solo Show of New Works

Made Possible by: ESAP (Eugene Storefront Art Project)

Launchpad Gallery (former Karin Clarke Gallery)

Mar 2^nd- April 27^th

Music by: DJ Schlep

This project started with this simple thought; what would I (or anyone) visualize right before dying.  From there two separate but equal series emerged both based on the idea of memory, collective or otherwise. 

            I decided to paint in vertical and horizontal bands.  In these bands I would attempt to paint successive moments or memories.  So a single band might visually represent running your hands through the grass, or your feet sinking into a sandy beach.  Initially the new works emerged in the form of paintings, but soon expanded into different mediums, including glass, collage, and installation.

            Those first paintings (not represented in the show) became a jumping off point for me.  Tapping into my study in Anthropology and Geology I began to develop a slight narrative for my “memory bands,” and decided to arrange them into strata.   The work took on many layers, literally, physically and metaphorically.

            The second series is focused more on existentialism, and the idea of awareness.  In this series the candle functions as a stand-in for human life/awareness.  My goal was to incorporate into the environment a permanent representation of something ephemeral, i.e. life.  Since the candle has already been used for this purpose, think the Olympic torch, Kennedy’s memorial, etc., it was a simple yet effective choice.  As well the candle holds such a poignant connection to humans already it seemed a natural fit.  I started by placing the candles in random places I visited to sort of map my existence in the world.  The gallery pieces take that idea out of context, and attempts to incorporate broader ideas that are common to many people, or moments.

Artist statement

Art for me is a passionate affair, and I am spurned on by lust and the greedy excitement of creating new things.  I feel no sense of monogamy to any one medium and so marriage to a style would just lead in divorce.  Like a strong relationship I work in partnership with my art to listen to what it’s telling me, attempting to develop compromises. 

My aim is to challenge and experiment with concepts, materials, and aesthetics in order to push my ideas further and develop them more richly.  Constantly searching for new ways to make great art.