Statement
Ken Grimes is diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic. Growing up in Connecticut, Ken found himself captivated by all things relating to outer space. A self-proclaimed Trekky, Ken engulfed himself in all media having to do with space, watching all films on the topic, as well as devouring any sci-fi books he could get his hands on.
When I asked him what about space intrigued him, he opened up about his childhood. He grew up as an only child, with no extended family. He described it as a “cosmic loneliness” and he always longed for companionship. Shows such as Star Trek made him think about the possibility of life outside earth and he longed to make some kind of connection. This began his obsession with radio astronomy and the idea that we can connect outside our world by way of radio frequencies.
Grimes briefly attended college in Maine, from 1967-69, where he was first introduced to art. His paintings have gone through a number of media and styles, but he has diligently maintained themes of alien intervention, space signals, synchronicities and government cover-ups; using his artwork to document his findings and speculations. He paints only in black and white, which he maintains is the most direct way of showing the contrast between truth and deception. These bold graphics created with black paint on white canvas and Masonite have become more iconographs than pictures. Sometimes a written statement will take up most of the piece, as if to remind us of the painting's true purpose.
|
