Edgar Smith
Artist Statement
This painting is part of a small body of work inspired by the minor landscapes of the rural and urban west. Most of these sites are disturbed areas or industrial areas. Although based on real places, the images in this series are abstractions, almost diagrams of these places rather than observational landscapes. The pink border is a compositional framing device but also suggests mapping and charting techniques. One of the colors used to indicate private land on national forest maps inspired the color of the pink border.
The purpose of my work or intention is to underscore the subtle or often sublime beauty of these places while drawing attention to and acknowledging the enormous devastation incurred at many of these sites.