In contrast to the tradition of artists creating works informed by a consistent visual language, David Klamen embraces an aesthetic diversity that is directed instead by an exploration of an expanding idea. Recently, the scale of his work has shifted from the size of postage stamps to larger than life, the imagery from pictorial to digital abstraction, and the tone from the silent to the aggressive, yet in each there is a common commitment. All of these works use various visual images and processes to investigate the question of how we know our culture and ourselves…

…Even though this investigation of epistemological concerns has generated paintings that span an enormous visual range, Klamen is deeply committed to creating visual experiences that are aesthetically sensuous and engaging. From the dark, obscured imagery of the varnished works to the vibrant, disorienting pulse of the striped paintings, these works display a common sensitivity to touch, to surfaces, and a commitment to the gestalt of the image. Although each of these works offer some challenge to their being “read”, their various tactile pleasures suggest a world worth experiencing that celebrates the perplexities of knowing our culture and selves.