Out of Touch in the Wild
Peter Broz

Out of Touch in the Wild is a collection of two-dimensional works that explores the fine line between fear and excitement and how those feelings coincide with our experiences in nature. This mix of enchantment and terror is what peaks my interest the most.

I’m sure we are all familiar with the idyllic version of nature depicted in postcards, screensavers and thrift store paintings. As picturesque as these scenes can be, these depictions don’t accurately show the whole truth. I find that the realness of nature is what makes it interesting. Ultimately, this realness is what I seek to explore in my own art, whether that be interpreted as beautiful, ugly, fascinating or horrid. It all holds importance.

Despite my reverence for nature, I am still wary of it. I still get uncomfortable when a roach comes anywhere near my personal space. I get a sense of anxiety walking in the woods at night or plunging into a body of murky water. Yet, these slight feelings of discomfort make me excited to be alive. It encourages me to really pay attention and not be oblivious to the world around me. I also find myself questioning the rationality of these fears and how much of it stems from lack of familiarity, learned behaviors or hard-wired instincts. These kinds of experiences are crucial for my own sanity. It serves as a reminder that the world has much more to offer than our predominantly indoor lifestyles that can be simultaneously comfortable and humdrum.

Making art is a way for me to explore my own thoughts, feelings and interests. I don’t just make art to share with others, but to understand myself better in the process. Traditional media like acrylic, oil and color pencil are all represented in this series of work. Although it isn’t shown in the final works, photography is also a very important part of my process. By predominantly using my own photography as source material, it instills a sense of personal relevance, specificity and intention in the finalized work.