Steven Becker is a visual artist residing in Los Angeles, California. His artistic journey is characterized by a deep exploration of industrial materials such as wood and metal, which serve as both tools and subjects in his work. Through these mediums, he engages in deconstructive processes that leave a lasting imprint of his creative endeavors, allowing viewers to witness the tangible remnants of his emotional and experiential narratives.

Influenced by the Abstract Expressionists and their dedication to non-figurative art, Becker translates his thoughts and feelings into abstract forms that resonate with his personal experiences. His artwork delves into the complex relationship between nature and emotion, utilizing unconventional materials to break away from traditional painting techniques. By manipulating light, shadow, and depth, he creates a dynamic tension that bridges abstraction and sentiment, resulting in a distinctive visual language that reflects both his inner emotional landscape and the external world.

Becker's pieces often serve as reflections of personal experiences, encompassing themes of grief and the profound impact of specific moments or perspectives. His artistic goal is to portray the universe and his emotions through processes of reduction and renewal, life and decay, as well as reality and memory. He views his art as a physical embodiment of emotion and experience, not only as a means of self-exploration but also as a catalyst for introspection in others.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

After the devastating loss of one of my children, my world turned upside down. The pain was unbearable, and in my grief, I made the painful decision to stop painting and creating, as if it were a self-imposed punishment for losing what I loved most.

For nearly two decades, my brushes lay untouched, my canvas remained blank, and my artistic spirit withered. The thought of creating became a painful reminder of the joy I had lost. But slowly, ever so slowly, my pain diminished, allowing a glimmer of hope to flicker back to life. Several artists I met along the way urged me to start once more.

With hesitation, I tentatively chose to break my work and materials as a metaphor for what I am. But as the work emerged, I did feel a sense of peace wash over me. It was as if I had reconnected with a lost part of myself. The act of creating art became a cathartic release, a way to express the indescribable emotions that had consumed me for so long.

Returning to my art has been a journey of rediscovery. I have embraced the pain and loss that shaped me, allowing it to infuse my work with a depth and intensity that was absent before. Through my art, I have found some measure of solace, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.

I am reminded that life is a tapestry of joy and sorrow, and it is through embracing both that we find true meaning. My return to creating has taught me the power of resilience, the importance of self-expression, and the healing potential of art.

As I step back into the world of art, I do so with a profound gratitude for the gift of creation. I no longer view it as a punishment, but as a celebration of some portion of my life and a tribute to the child I lost.