Christopher L. Mercier
Region: Pacific Coast
My “paintings” are focused on explorations of the workings of
the “pictorial window” and its relationship to space. Traditionally,
because of the separation of space created by the pictorial
window or picture plane, Painting has always re-presented
space as two-dimensional or as a three-dimensional illusion
(perspective techniques). Painting has never been able to
engage in actual space three-dimensionally. My work reframes
the picture plane to investigate an expanded condition. Through
a process that involves multiple, diversely oriented panels, the
traditional singular pictorial window is transformed. Additionally,
by rethinking the material of paint—not only a pigment medium
for color and texture, but also a construction/form-making
material—and introducing a casting process, I allow the painting
to project off the surface into space. Together, the whole process
resembles a cross between the acts of painting, sculpting, and
architectural modeling that allows Painting to move through
the pictorial window. The field of painting extends into real,
experiential three-dimensional space.