In laypersons terms, a detritivore is a living thing that consumes detritus (plant or animal) in order to obtain energy and nutrition. By doing so, the detritivore releases nutrients back into the ecosystem.
In this ongoing study (Detritivore), artists have allowed me into their studios to explore and photograph the by-products and minutia of their artmaking process. The focus of this work is to bring to light the unintentional visual outcomes that manifest through the passion and energy of each artist’s practice. As artists, the tools we use, surfaces we work on, and scraps we produce take on a history, character, and visual allure of their own. They are incidental works of art that are the process itself. They are vital to the final result, yet are not part of the finished work.
The artists portrayed in these photographs include painters, clay and metal sculptors, stained glass, media, and assemblage artists. I was struck every time by the trust and the graciousness of each artist, welcoming me into their creative spaces/sanctuaries. Being able to learn more about each artist through these explorations and conversations has been an amazing gift, and without a doubt, is infused in these photographs.
My goal with this series is to portray the artist’s hand, materials, pallet, and energy - translated through my eyes - in an image that stands unbound from its origin.
