David B. Smith Gallery

Artist Statement:

Through my work I attempt to examine the phenomenon of transformation and change. My intention is to evoke emotional urgency by depicting animals that both inhabit and interact with inverted scenarios that draw upon archetypal and global mythological themes. The paintings embody a vision that is idiosyncratic, yet the familiar imagery allows for a connection to collective or global concerns we share.

It is important that the imagery I work with is accessible to others, and that they are able to take away from the work a new understanding about themselves with the hope that they might engage in the awakening and discovery of their own personal mythology and imagery, and find meaning and significance in it.

I tend to think of objects or structures such as street signs, monuments, mailboxes and pavement as a metaphor to illustrate the conscious mind or ego; these elements could also be thought of as representing the requirements and demands a society places on the individual. The animals I use come from both my personal experience, while others come directly from dreams. The animals are used to personify and express unconscious drives and energy. The tension that is created when the imagery from the unconscious landscape meets the conscious landscape holds tremendous mystery and fascination for me. It is in this space that I am free to explore the depth of archetypal and mythical potentiality both personally and collectively.

A major theme that runs through the backbone of all of my work is a concern for the environmental crisis we all face today. Aspects of climate change, species extinction, and the threat of rising sea levels are integrated and woven through the mythological fabric of the work. For me this has a cathartic purpose, which is intended for others to share, reflect, and perhaps out of that some kind of positive action will occur, either in ones lifestyle or political activity.

Artist Biography:

Josh Keyes was born in 1969 in Tacoma Washington. Keyes graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and later received his MFA in painting from Yale University. Keyes currently lives and works in Portland, Oregon.