Statement.
I want to create original exciting works, with engaging colour relationships.
The paintings have a dual paradoxical role of referring outside of themselves whilst being self-contained, I want the paintings to be enriched by a visual texture of playful forms, that interact with one another. I believe possibilities are infinite in abstract painting, and want to explore new ideas and create visually original works utilising new media & old techniques - ie. computer images and traditional painting methods. Painting should be progressive, and it is the searching that attains an importance superseding the end results. The paintings have a similar visual identity to each other, as they share the same concerns and ideas. I feel this is important, and the works dictate new directions and relate with one another, whilst influenced by disparate sources such as recent ideas in science & psychology, combined with references to ancient history. the painting must always look to go beyond itself, and attain more than it is capable of showing. There are secrets the paintings withhold from the viewer, and this adds to feelings of uncertainty & anxiety within the viewer which are important.It is important the paintings disclose and yet withhold at the same time. Life is uncertain, and I want painting to reflect this as well, nothing is known with certainty, but everything is continually questioned.
Kevin Willetts, 2005
Influences and inspiration include:
scientific ideas (higher dimensions / superstring theory etc..)
philosophy of the mind/body problem (inc Richard Rorty)
philosophy of Adorno / Foucault
psychology / pattern recognition (inc concepts of Stephen Kosslyn ie. mental rotation),
language and word association,
ancient Celtic art and beliefs, Roman mythology - loss of meaning
early Modernist painting, Surrealism (inc Chagell) & dada
abstract painting ( Frank Stella / Mel Bochner /Brice Marsden etc.. )
music