My art goes beyond normalcy. My images are rooted in concept, and because my mind is constantly observing, contemplating, and formulating, my work is a complex combination of ideas. My art is a reflection of my life, and because my life is not bound by normalcy, my artistic vision is limitless.
My work is meant to stimulate converssation, provoking the viewer into a complex interaction with the image. it is for this reason that my art incoporates a wide variety of media, and often extneds into the viewer's space, disrupting the comfortable distance between the viewer and a traditional painting. I issue statements, ask questions, and occasionally poke fun at normalcy. I am interested in conflict, where normalcy forces us to view two sides as opposing forces, hell bent on destroying the other. eden represents a conflict between life and death, happiness and sorrow, and purity and sin. It is a conflict of color, symbolic reference, and the principles that govern our very existence. Two colors, two symbolic images, and two principles so inherently different that the true meaning of one relies solely on the existence of the other. What I have come to realize, represented in this image, is that the very best of life is only truly understood when the complete opposite has been experienced. True happiness is only understood next to devastation. Purity is only known when degradation is felt as well. The paradise of life itself is only celebrated when death threatens to take it away.
My work does not advocate for social change; it is the viewer's responsibility to change the world. I call on the viewer to challenge their beliefs, their actions, and their way of life. The importance of these works is that they force us to question traditional views; they challenge convention and aloow the viewer to think outside of the box. There is a layer below of the surface of my canvas, and a layer below that. Finding the meaning is a challenge in itself, and one that relies on the unique interpretation of the viewer. The ideas for these images were themeselves a result of challenging my own way of thinking. These images reflect the personal changee that was born from this challenge.
Ultimately, my art is meant to provoke the viewer into thinking about life. It attempts to force the viewer out of complacency. My art does not play by the rules, breaking through standards and convetntions in an effort to get the viewer to challenge traditional beliefs. It is a reflection of my own life as well as a statement about life in general. And as my life continuously changes, as i continually challenge myself, my art will do the same.
Artworks by Shawn McCabe can be found through the link below-
For prices on prints or original pieces please contact Shawn by e-mail at: mccabeart@hotmail.com