J.M. O’Malley

Warm Liquid Reliquary

Drown

Additive Inverse

Artist Statement (excerpt)

Where do the images come from? I cannot possibly know. I can only know that it is my task to make them.

I use a number of methods in the process of translation. Most of these are based on Surrealist techniques- automatic writing, recording of dreams, and some techniques like grottage.

When I start to make notes for the images, they are part words and part picture. They are never brought entirely into the conscious realm. When processing the film, I use several kinds of tools to mutilate and remove some sections of emulsion. I use sandpaper and various objects to scratch the negatives before printing. In processing some of the prints, I use additional chemicals like iodine bleach, or I apply paint to them. For some of the prints, I’ve used infrared film stock.

Website

http://www.jmomalley.com/