Artist's Statement

 

Gerald J. Schaefer

Artist’s Statement

Intermediate Drawing 302 – University of Wisconsin – Green Bay

May 2022

 

Mickey Mouse, a worldwide icon of happiness, was chosen to communicate the growing problem of Corporatocracy in the United States of America.  “STFU Mickey!” was drawn in 3D space utilizing a $15  software on an Apple iPad.  The digital files were translated and downloaded into a photosensitive resin printer.  Mickey’s components were cured under UV light, refined, and assembled with copper wire supports, adhesive and finished in acrylic paint.  A monochromatic black Mickey illustrates that corporations have a façade of delivering a great product for society, yet a dark side of self-serving political involvement exists.  It is the artist’s belief that all political issues be decided by the people on election day and not by special interest groups, lobbyists, PACs, or corporations. 

The artist’s goal is to expand skills and knowledge of 3D technologies throughout all phases of the creative process – from the feasibility and conception of an idea, through defining the content, and completing the work in fabrication for presentation.  Technology is greatly changing the landscape at unprecedented levels of many creative industries including Film, Music, Industrial / Commercial Design, Visual and Performance Arts.  The speed one can create an idea and generate a product has never been faster, nor has their usefulness been greater using digital tools.  This artist continues to search for and find new ways in which digital technology can create solutions to posed dilemmas: be it in a learning environment about visual art or in simply fabricating a part for a telescope or sailboat.

Inspiration is found in the imagery of iconic images of our culture both past and present.  Classical art to comic book art all have had an influence in the body of work.  Messages to the viewer is to look deeper beyond the surface of a subject matter to see all the truth constituting the object.  The work leans towards the edgier side of an issue and presents viewpoints not necessarily seen or realized by the mainstream visual art world.