russell mills:

these recent pieces are epigenetic in that they have evolved, mentally and physically, through layers of responses and research into a myriad of ideas and notions, which have initially inspired and informed their making. touchstones for these works have been the discovery and consequent study of certain aspects of oriental philosophy, particularly of the ancient japanese concept of MA, and its subtle, multiple allusions to understanding spatial and temporal space and time. this interest has run concurrently with those of the processes and evidence of nature’s handwriting and the parallel understanding of the potential of history redefined. earth and the transformations which nature demonstrates in an extravagance of minutiae, the simultaneous phenomena in its cyclic flow is a school of possible models and metaphors. the past fuels the future, drawing on both the fact of history and an imaged future to create ideas of authority and resonance of immeasurably greater potential than history alone can provide. history, re-created through memory, metaphor and myth offers meaning to the incoherent and new significance in chaos. these specific areas of interest, whilst remaining separate, share similarities in that they knowledge the potential of transformations from our condition to another, from the commonplace to the unknown, of regeneration through flux, and contemplation of all the moments and edges of change.they also exemplify a notion that i call “little forevers” (as opposed to “big nows’) which refers to the perception, observation and appreciation of apparently aimless events, quiet intimate moments and such ephemerals as the dissolution of an object into its shadow. these “ little forevers” as seen in profusion in nature’s quiet yet explosive mixes in process, may provide ideas of more resonances and worth than epic events.”big knows”.which may initially shock or excite but are quickly forgotten.

russell mills march 1992