Alan Neider

Lives and works in Hamden, CT, USA

Artist statement

ARTIST STATEMENT Alan Neider I work in groups of ten paintings at once, which probably stems from my background in ceramics. I feel strongly that if an ‘idea’ is good enough it needs to be explored, investigated, expanded and spread out over a substantial series. I find that working in this way the paintings ‘inform’ each other and I can come closer to achieving my goal(s). There are many steps in this process. Each step is completed in all ten paintings before the next one begins. Foremost in my thinking has always been “can I contribute to moving ‘’painting’ ahead just a little bit. Also, I am very interested in challenging and surprising myself and viewers with the work. If I am startled when I turn the lights on in the studio and my thoughts are “what the hell” then II know I am on the right track. I am sewing fabrics and deconstructed clothing onto moving blankets and upholstery material. The properties found in fabrics: color, patterns, textures, weight and images are used as a stand in for painting. The fabrics are cut into random shapes, sewn onto the substrates in a collaged manner. This step is repeated a number of times until a visually complex, thick textured surface is created. The painting process often takes months to complete since I work in layers and spend a great deal of time ‘looking’ at the work(s).

Artwork