For over three decades, my artistic journey has been focused on the interplay between absurd realism and the innate human need to make marks. Through a process of layering, scratching, adding, smearing and staining I create visual narratives that delve into allegories, mythologies, and profane depictions. Working with items found on the office supply shelves or bedding sections at thrift stores, I employ discarded objects to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. I endeavor to elevate that which was disposable and share histories that are unknown.

Reality, with all its contradictions and paradoxes, serves as the foundation for my work. I aim to challenge conventional understanding of the world, peeling back the layers of ordinary perception to reveal hidden dimensions that lie beneath. By juxtaposing seemingly unrelated elements and ideas, I create compositions that provoke contemplation and invite viewers to question the boundaries of their own taste and reality.

 Layering and removing stains form a crucial part of the process. As I build up layers of paint or ink, I create a visual palimpsest, each stratum representing a moment in time and an evolution of thought. Through the deliberate removal of stains, I unearth hidden narratives, revealing what lies beneath the surface. This process mirrors the way we navigate life, continually adding and erasing, searching for meaning amidst the complexity of existence.

I find a sense of liberation and resourcefulness in working with thrifted office supplies. The mundane objects become conduits for exploration and self-expression. By repurposing these discarded artifacts, I invite viewers to reimagine their own environments and question the value we ascribe to the everyday.

I invite viewers to embark on a visual journey that blurs the boundaries between the known and the unknown. In doing so, I hope spark curiosity, encouraging contemplation and dialogue about the multifaceted nature of our shared human experience.

francis.schuck@gmail.com