Pamela Shipley

D A T A D R A W I N G S

Compelled for as long as I can remember by data and ways we use it to defend/describe our truths and construct our sense of reality - in these works I use the rawest form of data, from nature. I begin with physical objects and transfer their impression onto a work surface. Then analysis begins. At first nothing appears distinct. Contemplation and study continue. In time a point or sequence of data points become evident and I make note, marking them with pencil. Marks continue to multiply. Occasionally many data points come into focus at once inspiring a momentary sense of chaos. Patience returns and I resume the task of reading and marking. Conscious to rotate the panel as I work, this forces me to view the data differently. From experience I know this patient persistence will allow variables [like time and light] to reveal nuanced characteristics in the data that would otherwise go unnoticed. This process continues. An image emerges over many sittings; and like a puzzle ends when it has reached a logical conclusion.

Each piece is naturally occurring pigments, block ink, graphite, on a 12" square panel.