There exists in German the word “Weltanschauung”, which of course does not really have an English equivalent. The definition of this word is; The fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or group encompassing their beliefs, values and assumptions about the world and their place in it.

This is essentially what we as individuals embedded in a particular cultural bring to any information we may encounter, including art. With this in mind I’d like to ask what makes art special? Why do we make art and why do we look at it? What is the point of art?

I’d like to posit that art is essentially a technology, and when successful has the effect of bringing to bear unconsciously held beliefs and assumptions - or those aspects of our Weltanschauung which remain unconscious - which in turn allows them to be examined and perhaps altered. So, simply put, this is the work of the artist, to make the unconscious conscious, allowing for insight and transformation. This is at the very least my overarching goal and therefore the goal of my artistic practice.