The inspiration for this piece has several sources. One idea that is integrated in it is the idea of the fractal universe. Most people have seen fractal designs and understand the concept behind it—that is, the idea that there really is no end to how big or small a perception can penetrate the universe.
Another idea that is integrated into this piece is the repetition and continuity of life. Life replicates itself, whether if it’s at the cellular level, or the animal and human level. I often work out repetitive designs in my work, such as this piece, as a response to mimicking and appreciating nature. I feel that an artist’s abstract designs can be imagined as just as alive as a living organism. In fact, I’d be so bold as to say that the entire universe is alive, not to mention the subatomic particles composing it.
The next concomitant idea that is integrated into this piece is the similarity to quilt patterns that it has. My grandmother and her sister used to make quilts and patterns for quilts as I remember when I lived on the family farm in Nebraska. I often marveled at how similar these patterns were to some mosaic art. As you know, one of my main sources of inspiration is mosaic art. So, my inspiration with mosaics and quilt patterns nicely dovetailed together, resulting in what you see here at this point in my development of them.
The last idea that I can think of in the completion of this piece is the title. I have been fascinated with the world and the ideas of the 20th century science fiction writer, Philip K. Dick, for a while now. One of the books he wrote was titled “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” The first time I’d heard that title, I just thought it was so damn far out that it practically snapped me in that direction for a few moments of wonder.
I often try to think of different ways to say cliches, or common sayings, so as to put a twinge of interest on the otherwise irritating boredom that they provoke. Well, I didn’t want to necessarily just reword the title of Dick’s book for the title of my image. I did like the notion of asking a question with a title however. So, for a growing, living universe, including the economic and manufacturing activities of humans, I decided to associate the universe with the idea of fields. Fields often look like quilts to me, and I imagined the beautiful patterns on quilts being so potent with creativity that they would be able to manufacture textile factories, which, in turn, would also manufacture quilts.
Art of eVan 