For several decades, Thomas Sayre has made work from the effects of bullets ripping into materials like metal, wood, and plastic. The resulting marks are varied, powerful, and elicit an immediate response in the viewer. The physicality inherent in torching his Smoke paintings or gouging the layers of tar and paint in the Tar series, becomes more loaded still with the violent effects of various projectile penetrations including armor piercing bullets through steel. In this technique clearly the message and the medium are comingled.
Above: “American Flag, 1” 48”X96”, Gunshot steel and burned and painted wood, 2006
“American Flag, 1” 48”X96”, Gunshot steel and burned and painted wood, 2006.
From “Cross” series, 48”X 48”, Gunshot steel, plaster, pigments on woos panel, 2002
From “Cross” series, 48”X48”, Gunshot wood panel filled in w/ plaster and pigments, 2007