Can an illusionary object such as a painting express the essence of change in values of the artist and their society?

Abstract

The initial intention of this thesis was to amalgamate two distinct tendencies that evolved in the author's art work over the period of twenty-four years. The illusionary and corporeal qualities of his painting and sculpture had become amalgamated with social concerns, which emerged from his installation and performance work between 1975 and 1985. The moment the artist makes a gesture on a painting surface is a culmination of memory, the immaterial and the corporeal. That moment expresses his judgement about himself, and the world in illusionary form. By bringing together of the self and one's worldview, the corporeal and the immaterial, the past and present, the artist is provided with the authority to make judgements and to change themselves and their surrounding community, as well as gaining insights into changes in values in his community and family. The emphasis of the everyday in the artist's work has become an expression of universal social issues.

Date of Award	2001
Original language	English