Douglas Witmer

(b 1971United States. Lives and works in Philadelphia)

Over the course of the past two decades, Witmer has steadily pursued a personal inquiry into the materiality of the painted object, refining his processes to a set of consciously chosen direct and economical actions.

In his recent work, Witmer applies paint in watercolour-thin layers. The highly fluid nature of this painting process sets up dynamics of control and release. Witmer aims to coax a wide range of emotional results from his basic approaches.

“I see my work as offering a clear alternative in a visual culture dominated by speed, layering, and complexity. I do not believe my work requires any prerequisite knowledge…My hope is that it can activate the sense that you simply feel yourself seeing. I like to think of that kind of moment as clear, pure, innocent and solitary.” 

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