CONSTRUCT 
('KON • struct) | noun

• A physical thing which is
deliberately built or formed
• An idea or theory containing
various conceptual elements
(typically one considered
subjective and not based
on empirical evidence)

"REFLECTIONS OF YOU AND ME #1"              
72  X  46  X  4
"Each piece seems 
to be a request
for understanding”
... Studio Visitor

 
"THREE TO ONE"        
60  X  37.5  X  6
"Creativity takes courage."
... Henri Matisse

(Detail)


"HEATWAVE #1"
31  X  37.5  X  3"
"I can never accomplish
what I want, only what
I would have wanted
had I thought of it
beforehand."
... Richard Diebenkorn

"ALL OUR MUSES #1"
60  X  56  X   7.5
"Three dimensions
are real space 
and actual space is intrinsically
more powerful and specific 
than paint on a flat surface."
... Donald Judd

"MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE #1"
34  X  39.5  X  4"
Search.   
But in order to find 
other than
what is searched for."
... Richard Diebenkorn

"SAFE HOUSE #1"
45.5  X  66.5  X  10"
After college,
I entered the world
of residential construction. 
That craftsmanship tradition
of home-building is critical
to my studio work.

A simple "House" icon
may resonate with any viewer
for various reasons.

For me it is symbolic
of that pivot-point
in my creative arc.

It represents achievement.."
... Mark Gould

"A SECOND CHANCE #1"
48  X  60  X  5
"I believe my CONSTRUCTS
give Forsaken Found Objects
-and myself-
a symbolic 'Second Chance'.
Thus, my quiet inclusion
of 'Pairings' and/or
the number 'Two'
in my compositions.   

We all deserve
a Second Chance.

I appreciate that notion
as I’ve come to grips
with the fact
I won’t get a third."
... Mark Gould

"DO I VISIT YOU?"
29  X  54  X  6
• SOLD •
"The mystery lies
in the irrationality by which
you make appearance;
if it is not irrational,
you make illustration."
... Francis Bacon

( Detail)

"LIFE IN MOTION - WHERE ARE WE GOING"
42  X  84  X  6"
The verb 'Abstract' 
literally means to extract,
remove, and/or separate.

In this sense every
visual artist is abstract
for they must create
their work from personal
visual impressions."

"THE HOUR FLOWS AWAY"
14.5  X  85.5  X  6
• SOLD •
"We can all view
the same scene,
but I will perceive
meanings no one else does,
simply because of the filter
of my unique life experience.

It is important to recognize
that when we look,
each sees something
different.

My CONSTRUCTS  articulate 
that difference."
... Mark Gould

"WHITE WARNING ONE"
14.5  X  21  X  4
"In a sense I’m a thief.
I pilfer the hidden meanings
of found objects, then abscond
with my audience’s
personal connotations.
I run all these
stolen components
through my own
“visual chop-shop”
and build my CONSTRUCTS 
out of this fresh plunder.

I’m always trying 
to stay one or two steps
ahead of the law
of visual boredom."
... Mark Gould

"TIME PASSES - SO DO WE"
57 X 30 X 4
Q:   "Are these pieces
anachronistic or
overly sentimental?"

A:   "Inclusion
of Found Forsaken Objects 
calls for a step back
into its often-unknown
and ambiguous past..   

Its history can summon
personal memories 
of past questions, decisions,
and life-lessons learned
for any viewer.

This retrospect often conveys
a new level of prestige
to objects when presented
via innovative juxtaposition
and composition. 

... Mark Gould

"THINKING FOR YOURSELF #1"

31  X  42  X  5.5

"My creative efforts allow
a visual dialogue
with my audience. 

I try to be respectful and serene
with my CONSTRUCTS 
-perhaps even gracious
to some degree.

But no one should ever see
my brusque artistic battle
of "pulling the thorn out" 
nor the absolute relief 
this brings."
... Mark Gould


                        

EPILOGUE

I try to create works that eclipse walls, 
transcend space,
and captivate any viewer's attention,
beginning with their first glimpse
and continuing after their exit from its presence.

Like any performer,
I seek to command my audience.
I want my work to linger
in their subconscious
for days and years.

I'm always asking myself:
"Is this the best I can do?"
"Does it deliver all essentials?"
"Is my audience elevated by my work?"

I think any good artist
continually asks some big questions
and hopefully provides answers.



| • | • | • | • |

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND


A BFA as well as innumerable figure drawing & painting sessions
in concert with residential design/construction, furniture/cabinetry fabrication,
and eventually Museum Exhibition/Trade Show design & production,
all contributed to this CONSTRUCTS exhibition. 

Various, wide-ranging sets of media and techniques are utilized:
• Assemblage of original/replicate artifacts & found objects
• Custom fabrication of required supports & vessels/containers
• Collage of photographs, text, etching, mono-printing & gicleé printing
• Traditional drawing/painting/sculpture.

Continual testing and revision
of new visual combinations 
is not a choice, but a requirement.

My Constructs eventually emerged from this long-term, eclectic process.