Douglas Witmer

(b 1971, United States. Lives and works in Philadelphia)

Over the course of the past two decades; Witmer has steadily pursued a personal inquiry into the materiality of the painted object; refining his processes to a set of consciously chosen direct and economical actions. In his recent work; Witmer applies paint in watercolour-thin layers. The highly fluid nature of this painting process sets up dynamics of control and release. Witmer aims to coax a wide range of emotional results from his basic approaches. “I see my work as offering a clear alternative in a visual culture dominated by speed; layering; and complexity. I do not believe my work requires any prerequisite knowledge”¦My hope is that it can activate the sense that you simply feel yourself seeing. I like to think of that kind of moment as clear; pure; innocent and solitary.”