Patrick Skeffington

Most likely to be seen collecting trash for their art

The subject matters of my work are often the everyday objects and people that most of us are surrounded by with a specific interest in textures that are both disgusting and captivating. I like to find the beauty that others may not look for in these objects and bring it out for others to see. After my fathers restaurant closed down permanently, I found myself creating works based on my own personal experience surrounding ideas such as labor, capitalism, perseverance, and the grittiness that surrounds these ideas. My ambition is to uncover how these harsh realities can affect individuals and society as a whole.

You always have an eye for what is interesting and what is the most effective composition for a photo. The way you present disheartening social phenomena is authentic and exciting, whether it be a criticism of modern attitude toward love, or capitalism, you have your own kind of humor that lifts the inherent weight of these issues. In some other work, I see that you like to take many black and white photos, which coincidentally match your clothes. You seem to always wear darker colors, if not black and white, and I guess this is what people say about how a piece of art can reflect the personality and characteristics of the artist.

Hoiying Megan Lam

Patrick, your artwork causes me to reflect on my own existence and the structures that govern our daily lives. Through your use of black-and-white photography with selective color, I am reminded of how things in my life have aged for better or for worse. When viewing your work I often find myself contemplating the consumerist, capitalist nature of our society and the daily struggles that come with managing it. You have expressed that your art is a response to your feelings towards capitalism, drawing from your own experiences working in the restaurant industry. Your artwork makes me reminisce about the mundane moments that make up our everyday lives and inspires me to appreciate the peaceful simplicity of something I never paid much attention to. Whether it be displaying repurposed items of the past or images that evoke a feeling of monotony and tirelessness when working within the capitalist system. Your work evokes a sense of nostalgia for the aspects of life that often go unappreciated, and reminds me of the pros and cons of this system we find ourselves stuck in, along with the many frustrations and limitations that come with being an adult in a capitalist system.

Inkjet