Gregg Chadwick: Responsibility

San Francisco artist, Gregg Chadwick, continues my recent project by writing about "responsibility." As usual, I extend an invitation to all local artists who would like to participate in this effort. Just email me!

A Balance of Shadows
Oil on Linen
72" x 96"
2004

Gregg Chadwick: Responsibility

When J.T. Kirkland asked me to write on “responsibility” the first words that came to mind were duty, engagement and trust. As a contemporary painter my first obligation is to the work. My art demands an engagement with the physicality of canvas and paint as well as the duty to really see the world. My current paintings are filtered through my experience of September 11th, 2001. I was visiting my father in Thailand and had spent the morning following the saffron robed monks on their small morning pilgrimages. I hopped a flight for Bangkok and while waiting for a connecting flight to San Francisco I watched in horror as the planes hit the World Trade Center. On my return to the U.S. later that week I began to paint Buddhist monks, privately at first - as a form of meditation. Only later did I grasp the dharmic sense of responsibility inherit in this new body of work. I needed to paint these paintings. And I found that the audience I had developed over the years felt the need to see them also. They have given me their trust that I will create paintings that speak of our times but also provide clues to a future path away from the darkness.

Arlington
Oil on Linen
48" x 36"
2004

Previous Posts:

Charles Neenan: Tradition
Kelly Towles: Color
Ryan Mulligan: Originality
Matt Hollis: Confinement
Dean Fueroghne: Originality
James W. Bailey: Obligation
J. Coleman: Depiction
Andy Moon Wilson: Decision
Molly Springfield: Language
Bryan Whitson: Scene
Elyse Harrison: Motivation
Jiha Moon Wilson: Influence
Alexandra Silverthorne: Derivative
Jose Ruiz: Contemporary
Kathleen Shafer: Focus
Jennifer McMackon: Connection

Comments

[Jesse Cohen]

I really like this work. The feathery light feeling of the image is wonderful. Well done. Floating through the canvas.... I'd like to see more.

[J.T. Kirkland]

Jesse -

Follow this link:

http://homepage.mac.com/greggchadwick7/SpeedofLife/Menu3.html

Also, the link provided in the post will take you to more images.

I agree, he's a great artist and a super nice guy to boot!