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The creation and use of symbols is essential to human existence. Each of us must use symbols,
whether they are objects, characters, figures or colors, to communicate abstract ideas or
concepts.
As an artist I have assembled my own personal library of symbols. Some of these symbols are
well-established and have been used by large numbers of people throughout history. Others are
intensely personal and have little to no meaning for anyone other than myself. For me, art is
largely about the creation of an environment. I believe that surrounding myself with my art, and
its symbolism, will create a richer, happier and more meaningful world.
Among the more recognizable symbols I incorporate into my art are the numbers one, six and
seven. At a compositional level I like the visual effect that is created by introducing stencils of
the numbers, either spelled out or the numeric symbol. The sharp edged geometric stencils
stand in contrast to the fluid nature of my drawings. But, those stencils represent more than just
a compositional choice.
whether they are objects, characters, figures or colors, to communicate abstract ideas or
concepts.
As an artist I have assembled my own personal library of symbols. Some of these symbols are
well-established and have been used by large numbers of people throughout history. Others are
intensely personal and have little to no meaning for anyone other than myself. For me, art is
largely about the creation of an environment. I believe that surrounding myself with my art, and
its symbolism, will create a richer, happier and more meaningful world.
Among the more recognizable symbols I incorporate into my art are the numbers one, six and
seven. At a compositional level I like the visual effect that is created by introducing stencils of
the numbers, either spelled out or the numeric symbol. The sharp edged geometric stencils
stand in contrast to the fluid nature of my drawings. But, those stencils represent more than just
a compositional choice.
I chose one, six and seven, as opposed to other numbers, because of the symbolic value they
hold in the Christian tradition.
1. One represents God, the source of creation. The Bible’s first book, Genesis, tells us the
story of the world’s creation. It is this association with the act of creation that I find meaningful
about the number one.
6. While one may represent God and creation, six represents man. It was on the sixth day that
God created man, an imperfect man. For me, the number sixth symbolizes our own personal
imperfections and the imperfections of all we strive to create.
7. Standing in contrast to the imperfect six, is seven, embodies perfection. God rested on the
seventh day because his work was complete – perfect.
hold in the Christian tradition.
1. One represents God, the source of creation. The Bible’s first book, Genesis, tells us the
story of the world’s creation. It is this association with the act of creation that I find meaningful
about the number one.
6. While one may represent God and creation, six represents man. It was on the sixth day that
God created man, an imperfect man. For me, the number sixth symbolizes our own personal
imperfections and the imperfections of all we strive to create.
7. Standing in contrast to the imperfect six, is seven, embodies perfection. God rested on the
seventh day because his work was complete – perfect.
It is the relationship between these three numbers, between perfection, creation and
imperfection that holds particular meaning for me. My art, as it exists in my mind, is perfect.
Yet, in my effort to realize that perfection, to create it, I seem only to achieve imperfection.
My existence, my art, all I am, can be summarized by the interplay between these three
numbers, these three symbols. I imagine the perfect, but am only capable of creating, or
achieving the imperfect.
imperfection that holds particular meaning for me. My art, as it exists in my mind, is perfect.
Yet, in my effort to realize that perfection, to create it, I seem only to achieve imperfection.
My existence, my art, all I am, can be summarized by the interplay between these three
numbers, these three symbols. I imagine the perfect, but am only capable of creating, or
achieving the imperfect.
On the more light-hearted side, these numbers took a second, slightly different significance when
I came across the Stuckist Manifesto. The Stuckist Movement emerged in Great Britain as a
radical response to Britart, the “official salon”, that was dominated by the advocates for post-
modern and conceptual art. “Stuckism” was co-founded in 1999 by Charles Thomson and Billy
Childish along with eleven other artists. It has since grown into an international art movement
with over eighty groups around the world. At its core, Stuckism both confronts the spiritually
bankrupt -shock for the sake of shocking- culture of instant celebrity that has come to dominate
post-modern/conceptual art scene and advocates a return to more traditional values that
emphasize an artist’s personal struggles, failures, discoveries and triumphs.
I came across the Stuckist Manifesto. The Stuckist Movement emerged in Great Britain as a
radical response to Britart, the “official salon”, that was dominated by the advocates for post-
modern and conceptual art. “Stuckism” was co-founded in 1999 by Charles Thomson and Billy
Childish along with eleven other artists. It has since grown into an international art movement
with over eighty groups around the world. At its core, Stuckism both confronts the spiritually
bankrupt -shock for the sake of shocking- culture of instant celebrity that has come to dominate
post-modern/conceptual art scene and advocates a return to more traditional values that
emphasize an artist’s personal struggles, failures, discoveries and triumphs.
In 1999 Charles Thomson and Billy Childish published a 20 point manifesto that summarized
many of the movements core values. Using one, six and seven as a filter through which to view
the manifesto, the three numbers can take on a different, yet surprisingly similar symbolic
meaning.
1. Stuckism is the quest for authenticity. By removing the mask of cleverness and admitting
where we are, the Stuckist allows him/herself uncensored expression.
6. The Stuckist paints pictures because painting pictures is what matters.
7. The Stuckist is not mesmerised by the glittering prizes, but is wholeheartedly engaged in the
process of painting. Success to the Stuckist is to get out of bed in the morning and paint.
many of the movements core values. Using one, six and seven as a filter through which to view
the manifesto, the three numbers can take on a different, yet surprisingly similar symbolic
meaning.
1. Stuckism is the quest for authenticity. By removing the mask of cleverness and admitting
where we are, the Stuckist allows him/herself uncensored expression.
6. The Stuckist paints pictures because painting pictures is what matters.
7. The Stuckist is not mesmerised by the glittering prizes, but is wholeheartedly engaged in the
process of painting. Success to the Stuckist is to get out of bed in the morning and paint.
No matter whether it’s the biblical version, or the Stuckist version, the three numbers capture
and represent some underlying truisms about my art and my life.
and represent some underlying truisms about my art and my life.
