Derick Edwards

Left with only a few pictures of older relatives, the details of my family history were unclear to me. As a child I scrutinized the contents of my mom's family photo album for hours, trying to understand our past. Recognizable faces and objects in the background served to link events with memories. Drawing and painting has provided a process for me to reconnect them in a more intimate and meaningful way. My artwork has become a vehicle for me to analyze my family dynamics and the lasting effects of those relationships.

I am influenced by contemporary painter Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s use of photography and photo transfers to disrupt the space with recognizable imagery that resonates with the artist. Other influences include Gustav Klimt and his use of symbolic shapes and patterns juxtaposed with figures; and John Singer Sargent's use of loose, gestural brush strokes to describe the figure.

I begin each of my paintings with an under drawing in graphite building form with abstract shapes. Then I apply expressive brush strokes in oil paint of varying values and hues to further describe the form. Multiple xerox transfers of photographs are then layered on top of the figure to create a pattern that disrupts the space and becomes unrecognizable when seen from afar. To further disrupt the space, I add geometric patterns as a visual representation of memory, which when seen from a view seem to pulsate and fractal the image more. It is only when the paintings are analyzed closely that these sentimental photos shine through, echoing my process of searching for my history in my mother’s photo album as a child.