Paul Seftel
Winds of Change: My 2¢
2007
72 x 48 inches
Oxidized metal pigments, acrylic polymer & 4000 2¢ ‘Navajo Jewelry’ US postage stamps on canvas Courtesy of the Artist

My work explores the light of time, culture and earth consciousness. Observing deeply, I discover contemporary artifacts hidden beneath the surface of ourselves and the world. Within the context of Post History, these found forms are revealed in the currency and language of a past civilization.

I love texture, surface depth, abstract material process, and the reactive nature of seeing. There is a meditative optical play within my pieces, investigating transformation and alchemy, and invoking a timeless spirit. My painting series incorporates layers of metal pigments, minerals, patina and sent postage stamps, creating works of sculptural relief and architectural surface, with time capsule like qualities.

The flag is a persistent remnant of US culture. Simply my 2¢ on American patriotism, propaganda and history, this was the very first piece I created using postage stamps. Since then, I have incorporated tens of thousands of spent messages and memories into an archive collection of history pieces, working from a massive trove of found cancelled mid 1900’s postage and contemporary 2¢ stamps.