Why Some Artists Make History:

Traditionally, when the work of an artist is highly prized among cultural institutions -- and the name of that artist acts as a reference -- denoting a change in an artistic style or movement, the artist has received this distinction for one reason alone: He or she has introduced something new to their respective art genres. Good or bad, they have managed to infuse their body of work with a method, style, or technique that did not exist before them.

As an example, Pablo Picasso, who was also a highly skilled portrait painter, made his way into the history books --not because of his ability to paint portraits --but rather, because he gave birth to cubism, a new way to tell the same old story. Unlike the artists before him, Picasso segmented reality into figurative modules with disparate dimensions that he could recombine on a common plane. His modular compositions, his use of color -- added to his preoccupation with African masks, which he often used to add a tribal element to his already strange collage of symbols -- each represented a component of a new artistic language of expression; Picasso had found his own way of transcribing the story. This is not an easy thing to do, given that millions of artists for thousands of years have worked daily to create art. Musicians, dancers, lovers, the human anatomy -- from portraiture to nudes ? the stories have all been told over and over, in every conceivable way. It is no wonder then, that the most revered artists of their day, are the ones who refused to add their voices to the choir of the majority, but instead, insisted on creating their own songs; in their own distinct voices.

In as much, whether it is through the use of unconventional imagery, a new combination of disparate mediums, or through my interpretation and depiction of the subject-matter itself, I am always striving to maintain a perpetual state of innovation and evolution, if for nothing more than to have the personal experience and satisfaction of composing my own song. I hope you will detect an overall theme of constant challenge and self-exploration, in my work. But, most of all, I hope that you will enjoy my humble journey through the arts. Again, thank you for taking the time to indulge my perspective. 

Sincerely,

Debra Hand