Public Process 4: Josh Sands

Josh Sands is ECA’s resident for Public Process 4.

Josh has already completed his first Open Studio last night and has more scheduled so don’t miss out on catching them! Visit our events page for upcoming dates and information.

Sands’ statement:

The inspiration for this project stems 
from 
my 
interest 
in 
paint, its physicality
 and 
its presence. 
It 
is 
from 
this 
interest 
in
 the physicality of paint
 that 
I 
was 
drawn 
to
 look closely 
at 
street and graffiti 
painting, eventually discovering quantities of 
paint 
buried 
underneath 
the 
ground
at 
the 
base
 of popular graffiti 
spots.

My process consists of excavating the material found at these spots and examining leftover paint artifacts, a practice closely related to that of an archaeologist, while subsequently using the artifacts in my own work by a method of pouring, covering, sanding and revealing.

Using the paint layers accumulated over time by other artists allowed me to come to conclusions about their dedication to the craft, their attempts to cultivate an enduring message and the way in which graffiti artists inadvertently leave behind aspects of their shadowy existence.

This process of discovery through collecting, conserving and manipulating materials is rooted in the desire to understand a culture dissimilar to my own.

A synthesis of graffiti, archaeology and painting, Sands’ “Street Artchaeology” closely examines his own art process and perspective as a way to more deeply understand that of others’.

“Street Artchaeology” will have its Opening Reception at The Wave Gallery, 547 Blair Ave., on September 27th, 7pm. 

Other Public Process 4 Events:

Open Studios: Aug. 29th, Sept. 5th, 12th, & 19th, at 7pm

Artist Lecture: Oct. 3rd, at 7pm

You can see more of Sands’ work on his website and follow his process on Instagram.