We wanted to give a little bit of background information on why we applied to the Wendover Residence Program and the kind of research we propose to complete here. While the direction of our creative work is individual in terms of technique and specific to our unique backgrounds and interests, we are as a group responding to the western landscape from a similar point of view – that of the post-industrial pioneer – migrating from Georgia, California and Missouri respectively to live and work in the west. As newcomers and outsiders, we found ourselves pointing to the peculiarities inherent to the western landscape and interpreting those things in ways that other people may take for granted. Our work has grown tremendously as a result of the ideas and interaction we share during regular “studio nights”, and we have been exhibiting our work together in Santa Fe, NM to critical attention. While the following relates to our individual goals, the work we make is collaborative in the direction and dialogue we maintain as fellow artists. Additionally, we are discussing a truly collaborative piece based on stories we hear in the town. Wendover is an amazing place with the starkest of contrasts - economic, social and cultural. It is nothing short of a gold mine for the ideas we are exploring in our work.
David Jones
“I see the CLUI Wendover Residency Program as an important next step in my art making career. I feel that my current work would stand to benefit greatly from the atmosphere that Wendover, the airfield site, and the surrounding region have to offer. Specifically, I am drawn to the architecture of the World War II era buildings on the airfield site in contrast to the isolation of the desert and mountains in the area. I am also interested in exploring the difference in Wendover itself between the Utah side and the Nevada side. While I may work on an installation similar to some I have previously completed, I also want to keep my creative process open while at the residency.”
Patrick Kikut
“Working and researching at CLUI would allow me an extensive opportunity to visit the Great Basin, the Twin Creek Mine (North of Carlin) and the Robinson Mine (West of Ely). I plan to render a series of field drawings of the landscapes along Interstate 80 and the pits. With these drawings as reference, I intend to make paintings that visually “stitch” the remote mine operations to other more visible landscapes – a casino in Wendover, a suburb of Salt Lake City, a truck stop in Reno, or the The Tree of Utah sculpture on the Salt Flats. For this project I have two formal and conceptual inspirations: the minimal field sketches of Thomas Moran and the writings of Robert Smithson. I plan to translate many of these drawings into lager (4′ x 6′) pieces to be produced at the studio in Wendover.”
Shelby Shadwell
“So far, I have kept my proposal fairly open so as to allow for reflection and response to my time in Wendover. In my recent work, I have explored how one accesses the landscape from the road and how one interacts with the road from the landscape, particularly in the west, and Wendover’s proximity to I-80 allows me to continue that investigation. Previous source material came from various Department of Transportation road cameras. Now I have my own infrared trail camera that I can set up anywhere to use for reference images and video. I plan to use red iron oxide pigment instead of charcoal as the medium for the drawings I will be making as it relates to the sense of material degradation that permeates the landscape.”
