Artist's Statement

In my current work, I explore the integration of the still life and the exterior world. Whether bringing the landscape inside and behind the still life or releasing the still life to the outdoors I have attempted to create still lifes that are a natural extension of the landscape. The foreground components are stripped down to represent simplified, utilitarian groupings that find symbolism in the agrarian culture and retain a timeless look. In their exterior surroundings, the fruits and vegetables take on a monumental feel. Folded fabric and tables marry with the curves, textures, and color of the background scenes to help fuse the still life with the landscape. It is important for the work to be technically sound but also house a spirituality and emotional quality that transcends the pictorial subject matter. In some cases, the still life objects take on a humorous anthropomorphic or narrative expression, providing an undercurrent to the contemplative paintings. Juxtaposed clouds contrast with the fruit and provide a moment of ambiguity, causing the viewer to question whether the storms are approaching or passing. The background clouds and landscapes become as important as the foreground objects in the compositional architecture of the painting.

More information is available at JamesBorger.com.