By Cloe Beck in A&E
Jagged lines, odd angles, never-ending loops and colors that blend almost too perfectly: this is abstract painting. No matter how many people look at it, no one will see the same picture.
Grant Hottle is a returning participant in the Faculty Biennial, an exhibit hosted by the Archer Gallery that features artwork by Clark faculty. His abstract painting “Seraphim” is featured until the exhibit ends Feb. 8.
Carson Legree, director of Archer Gallery, said seeing artwork in a person is similar to hearing live music; it has a greater impact on the audience.
“Grant Hottle’s painting is a perfect example of art that challenges the viewers to see art in a fresh way,” she said. “This is not grandma’s version of abstract art. It has a gritty industrial feeling due in part to the spray paint that Grant uses to construct the first layers of his painting.”
Hottle recently started focusing on abstract works, which he said allows him to focus more on “communicating” with his paintbrush.
“I like that it lets the viewer decide what the work is really about,” Hottle said.
“If I were to put a bunch of emphasis on the subject matter, by say painting a person, then the questions start to be ‘Who is the person?’ ‘How old is he or she?’ and ‘What clothes are they wearing?’,” he said. “[Those] strenuous things aren’t about painting.”
Hottle said he likes to add art history, comic book graphics and because of his interest in heavy metal, dark undertones into his paintings.
“I’ve always liked comic books and I’ve always liked to draw and I like the freedom that drawing and painting gives you,” Hottle said.
Hottle first went to school to become a comic book artist. He started painting and instantly fell in love with it.
“An artist can do whatever they want to do,” Hottle said. “That level of freedom is very intoxicating and it makes you want more of it.”
Hottle studied abroad in the Netherlands at the Utrecht School of the Arts and later studied art at the University of Oregon and the University of Oklahoma.
Hottle’s works can also be viewed at a Portland-based group show called the Nisus Gallery.
Hottle says having his artwork on display in Archer Gallery is a great opportunity for him and he enjoys showing his work to his students.
“I really like and respect the works of my peers and getting to see all the work together is a real joy,” Hottle said.
He encourages students who are considering taking an art class to visit the Archer Gallery and get a feel of what to expect.
Hottle will be teaching 2D Design, Drawing 1 and Color Theory next quarter.
