DETOUR 2021

Ted Thirlby

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Artist Statement

In my current work, I scavenge pieces of destroyed plywood, and I am moved to paint them. I think of them as rescues and am deeply aware of the living being that was once the tree; that is was used, maybe abused, and then abandoned. On one level, my impulse to do this work is an emotional response to these rescued objects. On another level, the subject of the work is the complex relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world. There is urgency for us now to examine this relationship. As I begin my process, I honor that the plywood is already fully loaded with its own history and energy. It is not a blank canvas. The changing wood grain patterns, the cracks and chips and jagged edges are the residue of a previous life and use. They exude impermanence and randomness, and in the process of painting on them, I feel like I am gently putting some divine intention on all of that history. I am moved by their inherent beauty, and I am respectful of what is already there. The process of rescue, respect, reuse, resurrection, and perhaps redemption. I want people to be able to see the life in these pieces of plywood, feel their vibration, and begin to feel the energy of things and the natural world around them. I believe that there are levels of communication that cannot be verbalized. This is the stuff of spirit that cannot be said in words, only felt. 

Biography

Ted Thirlby is based in Southold, New York. His current works are paintings on scavenged and destroyed pieces of plywood. On one level, these paintings are his emotional response to materials that were used, maybe abused, and then abandoned. On another level, the subject of his work is the complex relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world, which he believes is urgent to examine now. Ted wants people to be able to see the life in these pieces of plywood, feel their vibration, and begin to feel the energy of things in the world around them. He believes that there are levels of communication that cannot be verbalized, the stuff of spirit that cannot be said, only felt.Thirlby graduated from Macalester College in 1970 with a major in art. He studied painting at the the graduate school, University of Iowa from 1970 to 1972. After moving to New York City in 1975, he continued making art and exhibiting his work. In addition to his art practice, he founded and ran a successful construction business. In 2016 he moved his studio to Southold, New York. Ted is married and has one daughter.Thirlby is currently represented by Carter Burden Gallery in New York City. He has shown numerous times in NYC, including at OK Harris Gallery, 22 Wooster Gallery, The Alternative Museum, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, and VSOP Gallery in Greenport, New York. His work is in the collections of AT&T Longlines, the Avon Foundation, and GPG Properties.