Untitled (Koo's accordion), 3.14/4.9

Medium: Gesso, enamel, encaustic, wood. In his most recent works Goerk believes that the predominance of black & white as well as the subtle exchanges in surface and texture, are the byproducts of his experience of a new range of perceptions that were not available to him for sometime because he was affected by extreme cataracts. This new work gave him a keen new sense of sight. The renewed possibility in these seemingly simple contrasts and exchanges, has allowed him to interact in his world with a new sense of wonder --- providing him with an enhanced perspective, making everything new and amplified. Exchanges between white and black, collectively and separately, take on a new radiance and presence, while revealing subtleties of character in each --- not seen or experienced since the beginnings of this recent body of objects and paintings. David Goerk's work reveals an ongoing exploration of the object and pictorial attitudes—and keeps painting and sculpture in dynamic equilibrium. He has continued to work distinctively and independently in this way, keeping a magnetic and mysterious quality within each work and within bodies of work. He maintains, at the same time, a purposeful reflection of--–and upon—-history; and the masters of modern and contemporary art whom he reveres. Over the years, he has used encaustic wax as both painting medium, and a sculptural element. He both brushes on and casts the wax, sometimes within the same piece. The support is wood, with gesso, enamel, encaustic, oil, and the occasional inclusion of other mediums. Painting and sculpture are not trying to be defined here; rather, the impulse is to make an object unto itself, with its own powers. The idea of painting and the act of painting, as well as the variability of viewpoint afforded in most sculpture, seem to be sifting through and forward, with process itself remaining quite clear. In fact, clarity itself may be the subject.