Michael McNeil

Artist Statement

Being slightly claustrophobic, I like to leave my mind wide open. This large aperture lets in a great deal of light, strengthening focus in some areas while softening it in others, often separating things from their surroundings, freeing them from distraction of previous meaning and allowing for the possibility of recontextualization. I try to avoid preoccupation with intent, leaving myself open to follow the clues as to what my images will be. Some of my photographs live their entire life as a photograph, others are translated into paintings.