40” x 40”

CREATED- 2020 SOLD

The profundity of noise is a visual representation of a question asked since the Ancient Greeks created philosophy. Where does our morality come from? Did “we” create “it”? Or did “it” create “us”. The answer is ... it’s complicated.

One way to learn about the foundation of morality is to look at similar species. Because if similar species display behaviors that reflect what “ought to be” vs what “is” , then maybe our morality isn’t innately human.

There is evidence that other primates have a sense of reciprocity and fairness. They remember who did them favors and who did them wrong. Chimps are more likely to share food with those who have groomed them. Capuchin monkeys show their displeasure if given a smaller reward than a partner receives for performing the same task, like a piece of cucumber instead of a grape.

There are four kinds of behavior that are the basis of this sociality: empathy, the ability to learn and follow social rules, reciprocity and peacemaking. Sociality is arguably the bedrock of morality. And chimps and other primates practice all these behaviors. Makes you think about all the other similarities we might have, huh?

The entire basis for this body of work is to use an interdisciplinary approach to create works of art that explore our connection to the natural world. The concepts can be philosophical, biological, psychological, and mathematical.. I also acknowledge and understand that we view the world through the use of narrative. This piece is simultaneously a celebration and meditation of that.

Or it could just be a piece about a gang of kids learning about mischief by springing a group of chimpanzees from an animal testing facility... because that’s definitely more fun.