From Space Ghost to Superman, I accumulate images associated with meaningful experiences. Painting is the way I sort through images, information, and personal experiences, in order to process memories and systems of belief. I often juxtapose imagery and concepts that are dissimilar, creating tension and allowing compositions to take form organically. I rework these compositions until an amalgam with layered readings develops—questioning the significance and impact on the self that these varied memories and experiences have.

I re-appropriate religious iconography, often borrowing formal devices from sacramental depictions and objects. Icons, symbols such as the communion table, church altarpiece forms, and basilica architecture all make their mark on my work. My paintings resonate with these historical religious works as personal spiritual narratives set in contemporary scenes.

Communication, access to information, media, and entertainment also inform my work. I am fascinated by the innate ability of the archetypal character and the epic narrative to speak to many people, perhaps in some ways to a fault. With the rapid dissemination of information and wide range of views and beliefs held today, I question the effects that the extreme amount of information being consumed today has on our personal identities, and in forming our often-fragmented world views.

My paintings make the awkward attempt to sort and understand significant personal experience in a relativistic, hyper-stimulated, and image-saturated culture.


David M. Hicks