Artist Statement

Here we are on the eve of the next 1000 years and many of us have become aware that the pendulum in the Arts & Letters has been swinging away from Modernism for some time now. Postmodernism is not, however, a return to 1880 as if the 20^th century had never happened, but is an invitation, I believe, to rediscover ideas and devices of the past that would not have been considered for "serious art" 40 years ago. It does seem possible that Humanity has forever lost its taste for allegory and long-winded narrative, but I have faith that it will continue to value beauty, complex ideas and craftsmanship.

Inspired by the music of Postmodern composer John Adams, I arrange visual compositions where a repeating geometric structure (minimalist legacy) interacts in various ways with the major thematic elements layered above it. The chunks of reality (photos) are my consonance and dissonance while the rectangles establish the meter.

It is my desire to create an art which is:

• COMPLEX having many levels of organization
• COLORFUL and dynamic at a distance
• PRECIOUS and jewel-like up close
• WITTY but not simply clever
• HUMANE yet avoiding those cheap and easy tugs at the heartstrings
• VALUABLE in that much time has gone into it, the editions are very limited and the materials are of absolutely the highest quality (in fact the Ilfochrome process offers a 200 year guarantee against color fading)

Although my primary concern is the interplay of layers and the underlying geometry, I am pleased that viewers are engaged by my obvious themes and puns. I believe that as conscious minds are given the busy work of spotting landmarks and likenesses more viewers will spend more time in front of the work and a more profound understanding is likely to develop. The fact that I limit the pictures used in a piece to a particular theme allows me to accept commissions for portraits of individuals and organizations while remaining true to my vision.

John Byrne