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David
Shapleigh
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114 Maple St. Easthampton, MA 01027 978-764-5628 shapleighd@yahoo.com Artist Statement One of my aims in my work is to represent the truth about the object I am recreating. While some of the images and objects I create are not real, the work is created from direct observation. I do not consider myself a "Realist" as it is often described or portrayed, but as an artist that is committed to the exploration of my visual perception through drawing and painting in the fullest plastic meaning of these terms. Furthermore, I choose to experiment with my ideas on creating art or my ideas about an object by interacting with it, and then repeatedly do it in different ways, allowing the idea to develop and not settle on a particular outcome. The subject matter that allows this process to develop is the environment of my daily life and the objects in this environment. When creating this work, I do not wish to portray my emotions about the objects. Representing the truth about the object or environment I am recreating forces me to be as objective as possible about this object or subject. Working in this manner will encourage the viewer of the piece of work to do the same. I want the viewer to look with his eyes and not allow his stored visual references or prior information to interfere with this viewing process. Although the work is accessible as a recognizable shape to the viewer, it is not readily or easily processed. I would
like the viewer to respond to how the image was created as much as I
would like him to react visually to the image being presented. The material
application or the composition may not allow the viewer to relate to
the picture in the familiar way that he expects. Consequently, he must
relate the best he can with the image. While the application of the
material is not transparent or neutral, it is not apparent to the viewer
at first. Education MFA, Boston University, 1999, Boston, MA BFA, University of Massachusetts North Dartmouth, 1995, N. Dartmouth, MA Academic Affiliations Westfield
State University, Westfield, MA Bridgewater
State University, Bridgewater, MA Art Institute
of Pittsburgh/Online, Pittsburgh, PA Newbury
College, Brookline, MA Montserrat
College of Art, Beverly, MA Committee Work Holyoke Public Schools Arts Education Task Force, 2019-2021 Solo Exhibitions
Selected Group Exhibitions
Residencies, Awards, Organizations
Reviews
Workshops
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