Implement Series

Selected work from 1998 -

New painting in development are utilizing reclaimed tires from along a fence line at WAS. These tires have been in place for at least 35 years but mostly likely longer. Post-industrial artifacts as prior owners used the land to store "waste" at locations not considered tillable. These tires were likely used in trucking of agricultural products. The treads are the physical touch on the land. They imprint, disrupt and compact the soil. The worn treads appear cracked and brittle as hardened, dry ground. The tires reflect the integration of oil into all parts of industrial agriculture.

Riverbank at WAS along Middle River 12/18

National tread tractor tire (process work)

K. Lair IMP24 - 7525, enamel on wood panel, 2018

K. Lair IMP24 - 7500, enamel on wood panel, 2018

K. Lair. IMP30- 1500, enamel on wood panel, 2018

Vivid neutral pattern intersections

K. Lair. IMP Group 04A - enamel on four wood panels, 64" x 160". 11/18

Group comprised of IMP, 2750, 3250, 3750, 4250.

K. Lair. IMP 4250, enamel on wood panel, 2018

K. Lair. IMP 3750, enamel on wood panel, 2018

K. Lair. IMP 2750, enamel on wood panel, 2018

K. Lair. IMP 3250, enamel on wood panel, 2018

K. Lair. IMP 2550, enamel on wood panel, 2018

K. Lair. IMP 2500, enamel on wood panel, 2018

New work in the Implement Series. The current series are on wood panel 32" x 80" and grouped in twos and fours. The icons of industrial agriculture (brand palettes) are also being altered by the introduction of alternative colors as the series has progressed.

K. Lair, IMP 925, enamel on wood panel, 2012

Implement Series is a continuation of previous series including: Implement - Pattern Installation 030W, Allis Chalmers and Case White - Installation 1 and Implement - Pattern Installation 020. Work from this series of paintings was shown at the Strata exhibition at the Westbrook Artists' Site (WAS) in 2003 and 2004 and Box Gallery/National Boston in 2004, artspace@16 in Boston and other venues. Implement Series incorporates paint from Allis Chalmers and International Harvester, Ford, and Massey Ferguson brands associated with farm implements. The paint applied according to manufacturer specifications for each brand with overlays of polyurethane and asphalt roofing patch on aspen panels. Using materials, in particular the paint, that are utilitarian products rather than "art" materials is an important aspect to place the work in context rather than being representational John Deere Yellow and Green, International Harvester Red and White, Ford Blue and Grey are figurative abstractions as an object, product line, company and identity. In most recent installation of this work, Implement Series IUCA+D, the identity is transformed but it also maintains figurative and object aspects. International Harvester Red and White and the others "color identities" place the work as derivative or a new generation of the rural context and culture. The Implement Series IUCA+D incorporates, layers created over time that might vary due to exposure, repair, or use.

K. Lair IMP Composition 0110 XT, digital images from original work enamel on panel, 2014

K. Lair Implement 0055, enamel paint (implement specs) on wood, 48” x 8”

K. Lair IMP Composition 0105 XT, digital images from original work enamel on panel, 2014

from Implement Series, enamel on panel, each 12" x 6"., 2002