The Spirit Rules from the collection of South Carolina Arts Commission

The Spirit Rules, 1985

handcolored collagraph

18 x 23.5 in

My investigation into the visual arts has always been motivated by the need to express myself. Like the poet who, in a single verse, can lay bare a truth concerning inner man, I as well, have persistently attempted to speak of my inner visions – to express a truth.

My need to express goes back to my early childhood. An example is a drawing of blue leaves I did when I was six years old. I made the leaves blue, not because I was unaware of the assignment – to represent the leaves in autumn colors, but because was my favorite color and also a way of rebelling against what was expected of me.

This experience along with other similar experiences throughout my life, have contributed to the development of my art. I believe that the imagination I knew as a child still exists and with a spirit of innocence will continue to unlock the magic of creation that art is about.

It is this magic of creation that gives me the inspiration to pursue the freedom of expressing my own personal visions. I find myself obsessed with creating an imaginary world. This world, while acting as a mirror to my own experiences in the real world, also creates an autonomous world of new forms. Through real and invented images I am able to make associations that are part of an ongoing investigation of myself.

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From South Carolina Arts Commission

Edward Shmunes

Below is the Night, 1990

color photograph with dyes

21 x 27 in
Catherine Ryan

Games of Chance: Man's Best Friend, 1987

collage/mixed media

21 x 11.25 x 2.25 in
Thomas Seawell

The Test of Time: CME, 1986

serigraph/screenprint

14.5 x 14.5 in
Dan B. Shelley

Bent Willow Chair, 1982

willow branches

46 x 34 x 25 in
Thomas Seawell

EMPTY/Empty: (empty centers), 1979

serigraph

15 x 20 x 15 in
Thomas Seawell

The Station, 1974

serigraph

10 x 16.5 in
Thomas Seawell

B.C. - Three Roads, 1970

mixed media print

12 x 17.75 in
Boyd Saunders

Blackberry Winter: A Suite of Six Intaglio Prints, 1970

lithography and etching

16 x 20 in