Carl Patow
My art grows out of interest in contemporary social issues, the environment, and the challenges faced by youth today. Frequently, it takes the form of digitally manipulated photographs, created by reworking and re-configuring recognizable images through layering and image manipulation. I draw on visual languages, responding to ideas and larger conceptual frameworks in the details, references, or juxtaposition of content. I also create works based on relational aesthetics. These installations engage community members in conversation about the present and future of their environment. Essentially, my approach is an instrument to stimulate mutual understanding, community, and positive social engagement.
My story has many interwoven and complementary threads: military surgeon, healthcare leader and educator, and creator of visual and performance artwork. To create art, I draw on my experiences and the advice of many mentors and teachers who have guided me along the way. My work can be found in private and public collections, including The Virginia Commission for the Arts, The Duke University Archives, The Valentine Museum, TPT Minnesota Public Media Video Vault, The James River Association and Meta. Academic degrees include an MFA in Kinetic Imaging from Virginia Commonwealth University. My home is in Richmond, VA, USA a few blocks from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
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All rights reserved. All photographs and text included herein are the property of Carl Patow.