Artist's statement by Patricia Powers

Artist's Statement

The work on this web site represents more than 20 years of exploration into a theme: the relationship between horses in the modern world and the humans that control them. While it is clear to us all that I have a special affinity for this particular animal, I'm actually incorporating my concern for all animals and our ethical responsibilities into this single icon.
I was lucky enough to have been born into a family of artists and creative people, and my parents couldn't have been more supportive of my path as an artist, never a conscious choice for me but as natural as breathing. I've also been involved with horses and "horse people" for most of my life. Add to this mix an often overwhelming feeling of empathy for animals that has always been part of my nature, and the influences for this body of work are clear.

Horses delight me visually as no other form does, but it is also their nature, their relationship with us through history and their loss of place in the modern world that engages me. I've seen horrendous and unforgiveable things done to these gentle, vulnerable animals in the name of sport, and I've seen them transform the wheelchair bound into radiant centaurs. For most people the centuries of daily contact with this creature have been replaced by anthropomorphic symbols and the digitized image, and anyone who has not had to care for one directly has no sense of how contrary to those images the reality is. They are not strong, powerful, noble, wild, free, or even competitive in the way people are comfortable perceiving them; in fact it is a constant battle to keep them from getting hurt so they will remain "useful" to us. They are not sports cars. They are not plows, betting machines or tickets to glory. They are sentient, yielding, generous creatures who are literally not allowed to live if they do not cooperate.

In my work I try to convey the feeling of vulnerability, the fragile nature of these animals, and their physical and emotional similarities to ourselves. It is harder to mistreat a creature when you admit that it feels the same way you do but can't express it, and is at your mercy. It is clear that our species is not interested in leaving anything to exist for its own sake, and there is no more room left for horses to just be allowed to live in the wild. They will have to continue to be of use to us to have any place in the modern world. However, I firmly believe that there is a contract that must be honored here. It must be our responsibility to do no harm, to be aware, to give as well as take.

The life size work really touches people, particularly when placed in urban settings. The paintings have a stillness that is so contrary to the media glut, like a moment of silence. And possibly the form does evoke a "race memory" of something that is lacking in contemporary urban life and touches the subconscious of some viewers. It is impossible to convey this in a web site. I hope you will have an opportunity to see the work in "the flesh" someday.

Patricia Powers,
Hudson NY 2004

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Artist's Statement
The work on this web site represents more than 20 years of exploration into a theme: the relationship between horses in the modern world and the humans that control them. While it is clear to us all that I have a special affinity for this particular animal, I'm actually incorporating my concern for all animals and our ethical responsibilities into this single icon. I was lucky enough to have been born into a family of artists and creative people, and my parents couldn't have been more supportive of my path as an artist, never a conscious choice for me but as natural as breathing. I've also been involved with horses and "horse people" for most of my life. Add to this mix an often overwhelming feeling of empathy for animals that has always been part of my nature, and the influences for this body of work are clear. Horses delight me visually as no other form does, but it is also their nature, their relationship with us through history and their loss of place in the modern world that engages me. I've seen horrendous and unforgiveable things done to these gentle, vulnerable animals in the name of sport, and I've seen them transform the wheelchair bound into radiant centaurs. For most people the centuries of daily contact with this creature have been replaced by anthropomorphic symbols and the digitized image, and anyone who has not had to care for one directly has no sense of how contrary to those images the reality is. They are not strong, powerful, noble, wild, free, or even competitive in the way people are comfortable perceiving them; in fact it is a constant battle to keep them from getting hurt so they will remain "useful" to us. They are not sports cars. They are not plows, betting machines or tickets to glory. They are sentient, yielding, generous creatures who are literally not allowed to live if they do not cooperate. In my work I try to convey the feeling of vulnerability, the fragile nature of these animals, and their physical and emotional similarities to ourselves. It is harder to mistreat a creature when you admit that it feels the same way you do but can't express it, and is at your mercy. It is clear that our species is not interested in leaving anything to exist for its own sake, and there is no more room left for horses to just be allowed to live in the wild. They will have to continue to be of use to us to have any place in the modern world. However, I firmly believe that there is a contract that must be honored here. It must be our responsibility to do no harm, to be aware, to give as well as take. The life size work really touches people, particularly when placed in urban settings. The paintings have a stillness that is so contrary to the media glut, like a moment of silence. And possibly the form does evoke a "race memory" of something that is lacking in contemporary urban life and touches the subconscious of some viewers. It is impossible to convey this in a web site. I hope you will have an opportunity to see the work in "the flesh" someday. Patricia Powers, Hudson NY 2004
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