Todd Gray

Todd Gray

April 1, 1993 – May 1, 1993

Sometimes my work is an investigation into my past. A major portion of this past I create myself. I am completely unaware of any historical certainties beyond my great grandfather. No records exist. No verbal history survives.

My education was in the classic Eurocentric tradition. Art making was taught as a cerebral activity. The spiritual and intuitive process (e.g., African art), for the most part, was not particularly encouraged, or rewarded.

As a result of these two conditions (historical and educational) I feel no obligation to an tradition. When I see my work becoming dominated by the spiritual/intuitive model I switch to a more objective and premeditated method, and vice versa. The only constant is change, and the need to continually break down my notions/definitions of art. Once a new definition has been accepted it is a signal to me to expand my work into the previously uncharted territory and challenge myself with yet another definition of art.

The cycle is endless . . .