The Blue Highway

On "The Blue Highway" there are two propositions: the notion that the photograph "steals the soul", attributed to primitive cultures, is in fact a truth that has been mythologized by our culture. The photograph is a simulacrum; painting is a code. By re-coding the image through painting, the paintings attempt to build a bridge for the soul to come back to its lawful place; the artist has absolutely no idea where that may be.

The paintings are a metaphysical project, literally; a metaphysical project that could only be done in painting from photographs. Blue is the colour that has historically been ascribed to metaphysics. The subjects have all suffered for the theft of their soul. Among these over-exposed individuals are Grace Kelly, Kim Phuc, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain, a porno star...

This series was begun in 1998.