Tm Gratkowski
Tm Gratkowski's artwork is a form of visual data gathering and accumulation to compose a densely layered surface rich in patterns, images, text. His use of paper - the detritus of a material typically discarded and thrown away - searches for a socially conscious meaning behind the ubiquitous copy and suggestive meaning used in advertising. As a kind of social anthropology, Tm’s process is a critical visual narrative about the culture of information and waste we live with today. He pushes boundaries to manipulate and contemplate social issues as a sampling of image and text.
Tm Gratkowski’s art studio, LA, USA
The choice to use paper was only reinforced by the fact that, historically, it had been the primary way to share information with people - in reality it’s how we walk through and experience the world and all its advertising constructs like signs and even the many windows open on our computer screens. Its now about what we are surrounded by, but the way we process this information.
Tm’s work is to be experienced viscerally as well as physically as it moves and changes in three-dimensions, kind of like a high-relief sculpture as you can see multiple sides at any given vantage point. The work is both flat and three-dimensional at the same time. The closer you get to looking at them is when the distance between the layers appear. Beyond the formalism of these abstract compositions Tm exposes an awareness of our visual culture and the ways in which people share and consume information.
Tm Gratkowski in his LA studio
Art Studio of Tm Gratkowski
What do you love most about your studio?
I love the volume and proportions of my studio. It may not be big but because it is long and narrow it allows me to divide up the space into zones and can feel like there is a lot more room to create and work on many different pieces at the same time- this works well with my process. I make my studio work for me- it's a tool.
See More from Tm https://tmgratkowski.blogspot.com/
Follow on Instagram @tmgratkowskiart