Artist’s Statement

      In the 65 years I have been an artist (both Commercial and Fine Art) I have personally discovered that an "artist's statement" is a statement that is in constant change as the artist evolves. As he evolves, the thinking about art evolves and yesterday's statement is quite different from the one today. I must admit that it has happened to me.

      To me, art is a form of communication between the artist and the viewer. It communicates ideas and feelings. Depending on the intellect and experiences of the viewers, art communicates different things. Art speaks to a viewer both visually and emotionally without a language barrier.

      Since my art is both representational and non- objective (more representational) viewers see it many ways. My representational work is seen visually and then emotionally if they've encountered a similar situation in the past . . . they smell the air after a spring shower, recall the texture of a Magnolia petal or note the faint odor of oil from an old workbench. It ties them emotionally to the art because it takes them back to that place in time when they first experienced it. My non-objective work is seen more emotionally because it does something to the viewers, yet they can't quite explain it. It may may be the particular color, or combination of colors, the design or the texture that attracts them and stimulates them to the point of involvement. I can't explain it either . . . but I know it's the art and the communication that goes with it.

-Ray Davenport

274 Keels Road, Sumter S.C. 29154 + Email rdavenport@sc.rr.com
Phone 803-481-2604