Asphalt Composition 1

2018, Asphalt, acrylic paint, aluminum screen

Painted with asphalt excavated from Pit 91 at the La Brea Tar Pits.

In my recent work, I have taken a deconstructive approach to painting, exploring not just the subject matter, but the materiality of the medium itself. Recognizing that art is a continuation of a rich cultural legacy stretching back thousands of years, I chose to use asphalt excavated from the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles as a nod to this ancient heritage. The surface of the canvas serves as a filter, capturing the essence of the artwork. I sought to create a minimalist, elemental composition, drawing inspiration from the earliest known cave paintings, which often featured simple, dot-like forms.