Stephen Canino

Alas, this is done. I really learned a lot on this one. A bunch to new things came up. It seems as though there has been this problem dealing with appropriation, and sampling. Or better yet recycling. I feel like I am recycling. Recycling styles, languages, spaces, and ideas about landscape. I have been thinking a lot about Aboriginal painting over the last few months. Their paintings have so much to do with their land. They use their painting language as a way of mapping and knowing their land. In a sense mapping their history. So, there are many layers at work here. On one hand, stylistically, I end up using, sampling, and recycling Aboriginal dot painting in this piece. Now, was this planned? Not really. None of these “samples” are planned to be taken, nor is the manner in which they are appropriated. I just use what works. I like this idea of the archive. There is a vast library at our fingertips that we have access to. Aboriginal dot painting was borrowed from a western teacher that visited a tribe some time in the 60’s, I think. So, this western medium was introduced to them in which they expanded their notion of what painting was for them. I don’t think anybody can believe this idea of purity any more. That “primitive” cultures are somehow untarnished from civilization and therefore somehow pure. Aborigines have had southern Asian influences for thousands of years.
Anyway, the point is that I am embracing this idea that we are made up and constructed of influences. I just process them and allow them to surface. Not all influences are manifested consciously, but nevertheless, painting, for me is about channeling them. I use the influences, in a way, to map my own past.

It was along night/morning. Here are some other pics.