I believe very strongly that what I do forms part of a

vast tradition. Thus I tend to adapt pre-existing images,

restating them in terms which are relevant to us

today, rather than try to invent new ideas. I do not feel

that I am involved in a logical, evolutionary process:

progress does not exist, there is only change, and not

always for the best.

This sense of historical continuity may be the reason

why my work is not particularly “in crisis”. Of course,

people are always talking about the current crisis in

art, even though art has been in crisis for at least two

centuries : crisis is the natural product of civilization

and affects every painter, poet, and creative individual.

It occurs to me, however, that today it is no longer

possible walk into a museum or gallery and immediately

relate to a painting or sculpture, without quite a lot of

background preparation. We are losing, or have

already lost, our shared culture.

Joe Tilson