General Artist Statement:

“I first became interested in using photography as an integral part of my work, many years ago. I have always been drawn to gesture and immediacy in painting. Using photos as a base and paint as means to alter a photographic image, adds the element of chance to the picture. Once you apply paint to a photograph, there’s no going back. In this way, the work is somewhat directed by the medium. I like the way one plays with the other.”

 

Petterson on “ART”:

What is art? What isn’t it?

What is the definitive religion? There are so many answers to these questions. A compilation would stretch from here to there and back. It seems that the ones who care the most to find an answer are the least likely to be served by it.

Or…I know what I like!

Here goes; art, or Art, is not about labor, the time it takes to complete something. It’s not about colour. It’s not about black or white, or the combination of these. It’s not about horizontal or vertical. It’s not about canvas or paper. It’s not about brushes or paint. Not about steel, wood, glass, or concrete. It’s not about carving or construction. Not about picture plane, geometry, or perspective.

It’s not about aesthetics. It’s not about right or wrong. It’s not about you or me. It’s not about the gallery. It’s not about big or small. Not about passe or in vogue. Not about shocking. Not about regurgitating. Not about decorating. And most certainly not about pre-conception.

So what is it? I don’t know?

It’s an idea. It’s a thought. It’s a process. An experiment. A path. A choice. It’s about what to leave out and what to include. When it’s enough. When it’s not. About speaking. About convincing, conveying. Making a sound. Removing or replacing. Above all, it’s about having an open mind.

 

Brand 2018 exhibition:

Q: “How was this body of work conceived?”

A: “I’ve been taking pictures like these for years. I’m intrigued by product brands and how their placement has evolved as they subconsciously impact our lives. Branding has become more and more globally blended. Every large city I visit seems to be blanketed with names – once unique, now commonplace, regardless of language or culture.

I’m sure I have boxes of negatives somewhere that could be used in this series. Branding is not new but my recent focus on it is.”

More statement on his various series available online at andrepetterson.com