On Repetition

Phoenix No. 2

I have been accused of being repetitious.  Specifically, it’s been asserted that more than one of my image galleries and portfolios are repetitious of the subject matter presented.  Most recently it was the Baroque Figures portfolio, but the accusation also has been made against my White Trees portfolio and my Eaton Yard portfolio.

I get it.  These portfolios essentially take roughly the same elements in the same proportions and combine them in different ways.  The White Trees are the trees, the rocky ground, and the sky.  The Baroque Figures are the figures juxtaposed against the background décor.  The Eaton Yard is the railroad cars and the silos set against the clean foregrounds and the clean skies.  I’m not even going to address the Rock Cut portfolio.  I can see where someone might find these portfolios repetitious.

Thing is, I really don’t think they are.  Sure, it’s roughly the same elements in the same proportions, but it’s exactly their different arrangements that I find make for compelling portfolios.  The elements are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, and the fascination is exploring all the different ways you can fit them together.  Were Monet’s studies of the cathedral at Rouen repetitious?  Were Van Gogh’s paintings of sunflowers repetitious?  No, of course not, at least not in the negative connotation that repetition has when used as a criticism.  The consistency in subject matter keeps these portfolios tight and focused, and it’s precisely the differences that arise from image to image that creates tension and interest.

I could change my portfolios to make them less “repetitious.”  I could mix in broad establishing views, narrow captures of detail, introduce other kinds of compositional elements, and so forth.  But I’m not going to do that.  I think introducing this kind of variety would water down the conceptual punch of these portfolios.  Fortunately, I’ve always been guided (for better or for worse) by a fairly strong inner vision that allows me to feel comfortable finding my own artistic path.  Maybe I’m deluding myself, but I don’t find my portfolios repetitious, and I’m happy for them to find their audience on their own merits.

What do you think?  Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email if you find my work repetitious, I would be interested to know.