STOCHASTIC SERIES 

BACKGROUND

At its core, the Stochastic series centers on the idea that composition in abstract art is not genuinely random but shaped by underlying cognitive impulses to create order and meaning from patterns. Through this lens, I hope to encourage artists and viewers alike to reflect on how different compositions can emerge from the same starting elements, expanding the possibilities for artistic expression.

Random and Stochastic are often used interchangeably.  Stochastic compositions differ from random because they cannot be described mathematically. Intuitive art compositions may appear to be random, but artists trust their instincts and allow the compositions to grow organically (Wikipedia). The result of the artist’s choices is highly unlikely to produce randomly arranged compositions.

I began this series with a systematic study of multiple arrangements of identical forms, examining their attributes such as color, texture, size, and orientation. To challenge my own biases and the natural tendency for order, I developed a questionnaire listing several possible arrangements and attributes. I then employed random number generating software to select elements for a piece, then constructing wall sculptures from spray-painted forms mounted on wooden panels. This approach allowed chance to guide composition within carefully defined parameters, acknowledging both randomness and the underlying necessity for order.

The Stochastic series represents a key step in the evolution of my artistic practice, marking a shift toward greater abstraction and a more conceptual engagement with art making.

I hope the series provokes viewers to contemplate the impact of choice and chance in the creation of art as well as in their own experience of it. I also hope viewers reflect on how their reactions to art are shaped by their personal knowledge, life experiences, and the artist's decisions. Ultimately, the Stochastic series is an invitation to consider the dynamic interplay between order and randomness, intuition and calculation in art.

My transition from a career as a biology professor to an artist profoundly shaped this project. The skills I developed in statistical analysis informed not only the theoretical foundation of the series but also its practical execution, bridging the worlds of science and art. Moving forward, I envision the Stochastic series as a platform for exploring new artistic methodologies and expanding the boundaries of abstraction in my work.

Theobot.ai assisted in editing