Intern Sam Ventrillo takes a Closer Look at AT HOME IN TIME, a Solo Exhibition by Kevin Townsend

Kevin Townsend, one of the current Artists in Residency at Studios Inc, recently concluded his solo exhibition At Home In Time.

The canvases that he used in the exhibition included entire walls being architectural in scale, along with multiple series’ of paper which he transformed over the length of his show. In practice Townsend welcomes open conversation with those who are spectators of his time-based performative drawing; he often encourages viewers to contemplate the mark making process and its relation to his provisional finished products. By gradually creating marks onto walls which will inevitably be painted over, Townsend guides spectators to become aware of the core inspiration of his artistic practice; the temporality of expression and the ephemeral nature of the human experience. 

Viewers of the exhibition are able to notice the proximity and directional quality of the marks he makes, which shows evidence of motion and the passing of time. His completed series of marks are visually comparable to natural phenomena. The artwork depicts erosion of the earth, forming rolling sand dunes or perhaps ocean waves which result from elemental interactions between the dynamic forces of nature. In Townsends practice, he aims to show how he as the artist becomes the natural force that is producing evidence of his existence while also acknowledging that this act is not permanent. By taking the agency to continue to create the work despite this temporality, he confronts human nature. He creates value out of the heightened awareness that accompanies the act of tuning into the present moment - making his work meditative in quality. 

I took the chance to converse with Kevin as he worked in the exhibition space and I learned of a major inspiration point to his work. He researches visualized geologic and topographic data to see naturally occurring contours in the earth. Townsend explores how technology and the collection of data can alter how we perceive the ephemeral elements engaging us. This practice grapples with acceptance of the human role within our collective environment and our own temporality. His visualization of motion and direction represents the fluidity of time, which is an essential concept approached within his artwork. Acknowledging our limitations, empowers us with the ability to grow. In theory he encourages active evolution through both internal and external awareness. 

Through conversation, the spectators are engaging with this practice of mindfulness. After speaking with Kevin about his artwork, I became aware of how privileged I am to share an environment with artists and creatives so I can actively learn, interact, and collaborate with these people any given day as an Intern at Studios Inc.