Artist's Statement

Wayne D. King

"The job of the artist is to deepen the mystery." ~ Sir Francis Bacon

For me a straight photograph is rarely enough to capture the essence of what I am seeking to express. Don't get me wrong. I have a deep appreciation for the pure photograph as art. I think that Dorothea Lange or Ansel Adams or Edward Weston are extraordinary artists and a "simple" color or black and white image can have the impact or beauty of any great work of art. However, for me I generally want to make the art of creating an image a process that goes beyond the simple art form to what I have termed a "dreamlike quintessentialism" designed to spark an emotional response from the viewer. Even now as the words escape my figurative lips they seem contrived, arrogant - an affectation. Yet, for the life of me I can't find a more apt way to explain either the process or the outcome when I undertake to create an image. Perhaps it is a measure of my own failing as an artist. The fact that I can only rarely capture an image that I find satisfying without my intervention.

Often when looking to create an impact I find myself torn between trying to disguise my treachery and flaunting it. Sometimes I choose to disguise it and sometimes I chose to flaunt it - ignoring perfect straight lines and making them rough and imperfect. It usually works for me, it may not work for you or you may find it as compelling as do I.

That's what makes the world an interesting place and that's what achieves dreamlike quintessentialism in my own universe.

Signed Original images from Wayne King

Affordable Open Edition Prints from Wayne King