ARTISTS STATEMENT

For me, all subjects exist as a fluid, their surfaces ever-changing by way of variations in light, time, and perspective. Through my photographic, sculptural, video, and virtual reality work, I aim to highlight the unique combinations of these factors that give life and energy to the surrounding atmosphere and to the present moment. At the core of my work I explore how these variables along with the differences in our subjective perspective define our unique interpretation of a subject and the impermanence of the human condition.

Beginning with the empirical and analytical observation of light, my pieces remove defining characteristics of commonplace subjects, attempting to disassociate their conventional identity. My work instead focuses on the unseen subject: a momentary subjective trigger of memory, emotion, and feeling produced by changes in light, time, and color.

While appearing at first glance abstract, my works are meant in fact to be representational, but to represent a reality beyond immediate impressions; to create rather a fuller, and more authentic, visual experience of a subject. That experience transcends the visual, and therefore requires an approach that, while remaining representational and unmanipulated, through its alternative appearance challenges the viewer to move beyond socially constructed meanings of subject.

My work is heavily influenced by nature: organic forms, the random cyclical movement of the elements, the constant progression of time and explores themes of impermanence, authenticity, and perceptions of banality. I draw inspiration in part from sculptural masters of light such as James Turrell and Olafur Elliason, as well as Kawase Hasui of the Shin Hanga movement, and the impressionist movement – specifically Claude Monet, the plein air painting technique, and the enveloppe, the unifying atmospheric light encompassing all things.

BIOGRAPHY

Kobi Walsh (b. 1995) is a Brooklyn-based multi-disciplinary visual artist whose work investigates the relationship between light, space, and time in order to communicate the subjectivity of our perspective and the impermanence of the present moment. He captures intricate impressionistic fragments of light and time in order to parallel the fragile nature of our individual reality. Not relying on digital manipulation, Kobi’s work explores themes of authenticity and the transience of the present moment. He received a B.S. in Cognitive and Brain Sciences from Tufts University, incorporating an understanding of the neurological foundations of perception to play with our expectations of light and color. Kobi’s work has been exhibited internationally and is currently working out of his studio at Mana Contemporary. He has partnered with Nifty Gateway to launch 2 successful Verified NFT Collections, selling out over 90% of work within the first 2 hours. Kobi was recently selected for the 2022 Lumen Prize for Art and Technology Longlist and has won 34 awards for his photography from notable organizations such as PX3 Prix de La Photographie Paris, the International Photography Awards, Moscow International Foto Awards, and Photographers Forum. Kobi’s work has been published 19 times in international publications such as Saatchi Art, Friend of the Artist, The Flux Review, The Curator’s Salon, Create! Magazine, Inside Artists UK, and Art Reveal Magazine.

TIMELINE

2013 – 2017

1995

B.S. (Cognitive and Brain Sciences) Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts

Born in Chicago, Illinois