I have spent much of my life on, in and under the Ocean’s surface in many places around the world. During the course of this journey I have found that, in my quest to study and really understand the myriad ecosystems that exist beneath the air/water interface, I had to find a way to become an aquatic denizen, or as close as a human can. Emulating the mammalian Order Pinniped, I discovered the art of the breath hold, what is known in the freediving community as “Apnea diving”. Apneaism allows me to slip into a completely different world seamlessly and unnoticed in order to observe, study, hunt, evade, and sometimes to just survive. It is a disciplined exercise of mind and body that produces not just a zen-like spirituality but also awakens a primordial physiological response that allows humans to endure for longer once immersed in water. A proper breath hold is a skill that has led me to become a Waterman, someone who is a student of, comfortable in and passionate about the water.
As an overview, my art is the exploration of the vast subject of The Ocean. Its elemental power and beauty play an outsized role in humankind’s journey on this planet and is full of tantalizing contradictions that offer unlimited subject matter for the action-oriented artist.
In this exhibit, through the eyes of an aquatic Apneatic, the viewer will “slip the surly bonds of Earth”, not to play in the clouds as Magee describes but rather to surrender to the instinct to return to a primal state of existence where the line between real and illusion becomes blurred as the diver becomes one with their environment. This study follows the diver through various hunts as he breaks the surface tension and surrenders to the siren call of the depths.
Hometown?
Guilford, Connecticut.
Major/minor?
Studio Art and Art History double major.
What is your primary medium?
Oil on canvas and hand stretched canvas.
What was the inspiration for your show?
I was, and continue to be, inspired by my passion for the ocean and love for spearfishing.
What does the title of your show mean?
Apneaism is a play on words with the term “apnea,” which simply means “without oxygen,” and the term “-ism” which refers to my own art history movement. I discovered the art of the breath hold, what is known in the freediving community as “Apnea diving”. Apneaism allows me to slip into a completely different world seamlessly and unnoticed in order to observe, study, hunt, evade, and sometimes just survive. I wanted to create my own art and art movement not just to satiate my love of art history, but also to make a campaign consisting of many styles and mediums that are all within the subjects on, in, and under the water.
What do you feel is the most significant piece in the exhibition and why? What is your favorite piece and why?
I believe the most significant piece in the exhibition is my oil painting, “Primordial Triad,” because it lures the viewer to invest more time in observing my vibrant color blindness, the nuanced detail of the fish, the kelp, and the diver which all are within a sweeping panorama on a wide canvas. This petition towards the viewer to spend more time is the whole purpose behind my exhibition: to fight commercial fishing and give the proper homage to the effort and skill required of the apnea hunt itself.
How will art and the process of making continue to play a role in your life after graduation?
I plan on pursuing a life full of art making. Whether my work will continue to take shape in painting, drawing, or print making, I am not sure. I will certainly maintain my passion for the ocean and continue my aqueous culture investigation. I imagine furthering my practice of asking deeper social and contemporary art questions like those I have learned from Davidson art department.
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