Charles Caldemeyer

Charles Caldemeyer's body of work "Structures" employs architectural structures as metaphors for associative thought processes and classification systems. Caldemeyer uses a variety of media, including encaustic, oil, watermedia, and sometimes printmaking and drawing processes, for contrasts in surface and image quality they produce. Four horizontal panels oriented in opposite directions around a central axis suggest different levels of cognition and a sense of history and/or archaeology. This organization is also meant to convey a situation of tension between polar opposites on successive levels which yet remain a part of the same structure. It is a system of implied narrative which can be interpreted on a number of levels simultaneously.

Caldemeyer wants the viewer to infer an arrangement where, Hegelian, the action on each level contrasts with its predecessor and successor to suggest a dynamic and spiral movement of events. The content of the oppositions is expressed by the associations we have with the quoted figures, as well as by formal oppositions such as contrasts of surface, light/dark, warm/cool, color coding, etc. The inhabitants of the structures are quotations from history and art history, as well as invented figures. Caldemeyer hopes the viewer will establish connections between historical classifications and personal classifications with irony and introspection.

Charles Caldemeyer received his M.F.A. from Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently a Professor of Art at Ashland University.