Counting 01234554321 (2013 - 2014)
Gouache and pencil on pigment prints, approximately 9 in. x 11 in., 48 pieces total
COUNTING 0-1-2-3-4-5-5-4-3-2-1-0
The rules are dumb: count from the thumb and count from the pinky, then repeat both for the front and back of each hand. Also, count zero with open and closed fists.
Layers of paint over the photographic image confuses the question of whether it’s a painting or a photograph. In this case, the skillfulness of an implied photorealistic painting is a hoax. The colors are basic primary school hues, almost straight out of the tube, thereby emphasizing the childish, simple aspect of counting. To make them, hands painted over pictures of hands. Abstract brush strokes were mainly made for the pleasure of pushing paint around and have it mean something.
The counting gestures slip into other meanings. They seem to resemble sign language, pointing, obscene gestures or everyday conversational gestures. Ultimately, they want to mean something, but they shift back forth.
This entire work is intended to be a modular installation depending on the curator’s arrangement of individual pieces throughout the exhibition site. There is no final fixed form of presentation.