Gregory Steel

In thinking about the postmodern preferences for didactic rather than aesthetic approaches to artmaking, I decided to use formal language rather than a media approach to the problems. Keystones are the supporting structures upon which systems are held together. Postmodernism pointed out the dissolution of the systems of control, power, and manipulation of classes of people within the world. The falling keystone represents in formal language the insecurities of these systems and the potential for failure. These sculptures are not specific like many works of contemporary art that support the lack of insight and powers of contemplation lacking in modern humans. They instead provide a respite and stopping point upon which to test the human capacity to envision and plan for a future that may change. These sculptures offer a moment unburdened by the media strategies prevalent in many contemporary art practices.

This is the first of a planned series of falling keystones; more to follow. It is available now if you would like to include this work in your collection and life. Please reach out to me here or at gregorys@gregorysteel.com for more information.

Mu, translated into English, is nothing or closer in meaning to the Japanese no-thing. As I began exploring the idea of object-making in the contemporary world, certain ideas and feelings began to arise in me. Specifically, the lack of humanity in the popular art forms being produced and displayed in the galleries of New York and London, and the Authoritative art publications, I felt a distinct lack in myself and art in general. My observation of all the things I had seen in these places displayed a lack and owness to the constructed culture. Hence my decision to work by instinct alone; my only guiding principles came from understanding my humanness and the human beings around me.

What became paramount in this practice was determined by what humans needed, really needed, detached from the illusions of the capitalists’ commerce-driven existence we are all familiar with. Art is and always will be a type of perspective; either we see beauty or we don’t. We can project positivity or negativity; we can focus on the filings of our culture or remind ourselves what is important about having a human culture in the first place.

The series of works from this idea continues and will continue; I think until a shift in perception about what art should be returns or the shadow of obscurity covers the idea forever.