David Molesky "Riot Paintings"

About

"I like to imagine paint as primordial ooze that mimics the mysterious ever-changing preternatural substances. Like a force of nature, I conduct formlessness in my own microcosm of creation. And as I compose my images, I recognize the existential responsibility of these choices. In order to transform my canvas, I am often led on a path of momentary destruction, as are the subjects in the Riots. These paintings explore concepts of transformation and its relation to symbolic and actual acts of destruction. The action within these images stems from visceral desire to advance an overall situation and is propelled by the motivation and self-will of an individual. Agency as an internal force should be a given to all individuals. This is also represented by fire itself, which I paint such that it appears to be lit from within, without reliance on external light sources. The characters of the paintings, both the humans and fire, become cohorts in an evolutionary process of destruction; limbs and fire flicker into a landscape of chaos and churning elements. As instigators and perpetuators, my rioters enter a collaborative and harmonious dance with the elements. In opposition to depictions of man and fire as incongruous, I choose to have my two subjects feeding one another, working towards the same mission. There is only intimacy between them, no fear."

- David Molesky