Tyler White

My work is about the medium of paint and the wide variety of ways paint can be manipulated. Most artists sign their work once they have finished; I choose not to place my signature on my work because I feel by placing it on their It is putting the focus back on myself rather than the paint. I want my audience to be engaged in a dialogue with the paint itself. My work can be described as indexical. When my audience views the paint they are looking at the past and present; each stroke, splatter and swipe is documented in each layer. Process is central to my work. My process is experimental; I start by pouring paint onto large roofing tarps. Sometimes I paint them on the ground, and other times I hang them up to let gravity take control of the paint’s movement. I use unconventional tools such as forks, spoons, pencils, straws, gloves and bottles. There is a mixture of control and chance in my process. When enough layers have accumulated, I peel the dry paint off of the tarp. The paint is then either hung or transformed into the three-dimensional objects. The paint that I use is household latex paint, an ordinary house paint that is commonly used. I chose this particular paint for its durability and fast drying as well as its everyday use. When looking at my work it is very clear that some of my inspiration come from abstract expressionism. But abstract expressionism was more about male egos and flaunting their paintings in ways reminiscent of themselves. My biggest influences are Jackson Pollock and Lynda Benglis. Both artists have challenged the art world through the methods in which they created their work. By using these industrial materials found in everyday life I’m taking away the precious nature of the paint and inviting the viewer to interact with my work. I want my audience to fully be engaged with my work and interact with it physically.