As my work continues to evolve and mature, certain thematic issues surface as overarching themes that have been with me for a while, and will probably continue with me for sometime longer. Conceptually, an aversion to societal etiquette and normalcy has always been a theme in my life. The issue evolves out of my misalignment with a culturally mandated way of life. As a larger life theme, it denotes my family's unwillingness to comply with certain truths and apparent absolutes with regard to contemporary life. Elements of my life such as not owning a car and the presence of a compost bucket in my kitchen place me outside of the proper social sphere for some reason. These issues surface again in my disregard for certain art world rules, and in other activities regarding my work.

For instance, the deployment of bread in a city street, the dumping of bouncy balls in a public area, or the re-engineering of a snow sled to feature a set of wheels to be used on hard paved roads are all activities that don't fit in with the majority of mainstream society. This clownism, these aggressive and sometimes child-like outbursts, are performed to call attention to simple things that are present at face value in my work. The act and memorializing of laying bread in a public street is very easily digested and viewer friendly; it does not ask the audience for much, but it provides a situation for further questioning by both artist and viewer.

Another issue that has been continually evolving in my work is the development of an artistic persona or character. This is The Brett Walker, as an actor in a play. This characterization of me, however, shouldn't be thought of as a character outside of my normal and daily self. A person can't sacrifice an honest and truthful relationship with another person at the expense of a superficial art piece. The development and use of the character Brett Walker isn't intended as something to be used, rather, it is who I am all the time. It is my life as a holistic work of art, which is something that should come naturally and gently.

With that in mind, one last thing that seems to be ongoing in my art making, something that is maybe more of a technical consideration, is the need for a physical and natural practice. I find my best work to be much more natural, without script or forethought. Things that are sometimes out of my control lead to the very best pieces of art. It's the use of a matrix, a responsibility and acknowledgment of things that I can't control. A film camera makes negatives that are square or rectangular. I can't change that, and I shouldn't; it has to be worked with and acknowledged. Video pieces are made on their own accord. The camera, the situation, the light, the environment: these things guide the piece, sometimes acting as a mediator in the directing and art making process.



Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or feedback. You can periodically find me wasting time on myspace. You can also IM me on AIM; my username is puchbrett. You can find my flickr account here.