PHIL HARRIS
ARTIST STATEMENT
Throughout my career I’ve found my influences have changed very little, even if the content of my work has. I’ve drawn inspiration from a variety of artists, ranging from Yayoi Kusama to Herbert Lee Creecy Jr, in addition to the distinguished animators I followed during my college years. As a student of both traditional animation and abstract painting, it feels very natural for me to use elements of both disciplines together. I’ve integrated these aesthetics into my work on plexiglass and murals, and developed a body of work that is thoughtful and exciting. My work has also matured over time and shifted towards a more contemporary aesthetic, with hints of architectural imagery and mid-century modern references.
In the studio I’ve worked almost exclusively with plexiglass for the past three years in a mixed-media format. Transparent layers are used to amplify depth and establish a subtle, three-dimensional effect with an unusual matte finish. The result is a robust blend of contours and whimsical brush strokes in a dense, colorful environment. I’ve also adapted this aesthetic to murals with great success, as the larger scale becomes, the more bold the work.
In the studio I’ve worked almost exclusively with plexiglass for the past three years in a mixed-media format. Transparent layers are used to amplify depth and establish a subtle, three-dimensional effect with an unusual matte finish. The result is a robust blend of contours and whimsical brush strokes in a dense, colorful environment. I’ve also adapted this aesthetic to murals with great success, as the larger scale becomes, the more bold the work.