ZACH VAN HORN

Zach Van Horn paints landscapes layered over a pixelated mosaic that converge through symmetrical, rippling lines, reflecting on how our internal programming — shaped by genetics and memories — affects the way we perceive the world. He begins by painting on paper, which he then cuts and reassembles multiple times to create a pixelated mosaic. After masking out the symmetrical lines, he paints representational imagery drawn from reference photographs he has taken on his own adventures. He finishes each piece by sanding the surface. The pixelated mosaic symbolizes our internal narrative programming, while the representational imagery reflects the external world we interact with daily. The interplay of colors and textures between these layers illustrates how perception and personal history continuously shift and blend with our present reality over time. Through these layered compositions, Van Horn invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic relationship between their own internal stories and the external world they encounter each day.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My paintings explore how our internal programming—shaped by genetics and memories—affects the way we perceive the world. My layered compositions merge two realities through symmetrical, rippling lines. I begin by painting on paper, which I then cut and reassemble multiple times to create a pixelated mosaic. After masking out the symmetrical lines, I paint the representational imagery and then finally sand the surface. The pixelated mosaic symbolizes our internal narratives, while the representational imagery reflects the external world. The interplay of colors and textures between these layers illustrates how perception and personal history continuously shift and blend over time. Through these layered compositions, I invite viewers to reflect on the dynamic relationship between their own internal stories and the external world they encounter daily.