Shannon Torrence
Gallery Director, Kenneth Schofield briefly interviews exhibiting artist, Shannon Torrence, about his upcoming show, his practice, and thoughts on the creative process in general. Vignettes: A Solo Show by Shannon Torrence opens Nov 25th and will run through Dec 23rd. A reception will be held Saturday November 26th 6 - 8pm and will be open to the public.
Schofield: What has been the motivating force for creating your work?
Torrence:
What drives me to create what I create, is a great question. First, making something makes me feel more alive, more a part of everything, a participant while I’m here. Additionally, I love the challenges that come from trying to render work that is recognizable both visually but also evokes the smell, sound, tempature, time of place, or a combination there of, that may take someone to a memory of a very similar one they have actually been or moment they have lived. Honestly, I’m dropping bread crumbs as a map to me, what I enjoyed or thought was beautiful. For the like minded to find.
Schofield: Is this most current body of work a departure or continuation of previous ones?
Torrence:
The work presented here is a continuation of the work I’ve produced over the last 5 years. I am seeking out new ways to paint the landscape. This is best reflected in my Highways and Biways series of painting. I’ve started out with a couple of Florida Road paintings and a couple of New York Road paintings. To me, they are indicative of our time- a time stamp. As an example, cell towers being like the steam trains of victorian era paintings.
Schofield: Are you searching for anything?
Torrence:
Am I searching for something? First let me say, the landscapes will never stop but, yes, something grand and monumental. something barely conceivable and only recognizable as a science fiction notion. I have the image several ways in my head. All I must do is find the strength, courage, and patience to make it. The landscapes and their evolution took a few years of work before anyone ever saw or knew of them outside of my immediate family. What I have percolating now, deserves... and quite frankly needs, that pressure-free time in order to be.
Schofield: For those viewing your art, is there anything you expect from their interaction with it?
Torrence:
Its my hope that the viewer feels fooled for a moment by some of the works from a distance. Regarding them as photography, it adds to the modern sensation of discovery. On closer inspection, one could notice that it is paint and quite abstract. For the viewer to smell the briny sea or feel the sun, is without a doubt the kind of feeling I’d like most to elicit from the viewer.
Schofield: Can you tell us any more about these new pieces and/or anything coming up in your future, an anecdote, etc.?
Torrence:
The future is going to be a bit quiet for awhile, insofar as working to promote the work myself. I am going to concentrate on making new work, let the cells recharge, go slowly and methodically to capture the etherial and imagination of viewers at a higher level. The ultimate goal for me is imagery that could only come from me. One can’t deny the cyclical nature of creativity, only hope for a tight orbit.