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Doug E. L. Haynes
America is increasingly becoming a multi-cultural place. Although here in Wisconsin we are lagging behind the trend, the influence of immigrants is having a profound impact here.
My personal story is a part of that trend and I feel the need and desire to express that in my artwork. I am a native of Wisconsin, born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1986 I married a remarkable woman from Seoul, Korea. In the time that we have been married I have visited Korea four times and have learned much of the language and culture. I also have an adopted daughter from Korea and have recently spent time in Japan.
Soaking in Korean culture has not been limited to the times that I was in Korea. There is much of Seoul here in Wisconsin. It is a matter of knowing where and how to witness the immigrant sub-culture that exists almost invisibly alongside the dominant culture. In the same way that a fish is unaware of the water around it, we often do not see what is obvious to outsiders. Having the opportunity to see my own culture through the eyes of a foreigner is a source of great insight. Such opportunities are especially valuable for an artist. Since to a large extent the work of an artist is valued for the freshness of it’s vision
The work I have prepared for this exhibit approaches the theme of living in two worlds in a variety of ways. In some of the works, the contrasts between Asian and American culture are very dramatically presented. In other cases the approach is subtler. In every case I think the paintings reflect my experience, which is deeply rooted in both Korean and American culture.
My participation in this exhibit is an affirmation of the culture of my wife and daughter and an acknowledgement of the deep influence that I have felt from Korean culture. The extent of those influences is difficult to guage. I think my work is like a piece of meat that has been marinated in garlic, it becomes difficult to distinguish where the garlic flavor begins and where meat flavor ends.