(Bio)

Timothy Norris is a Michigan-based artist and art educator with a background in painting, drawing, and art history. He holds a BA in Art History, as well as an MA and MFA in Painting from Northern Illinois University, where he studied from 1981 to 1988. Tim has taught at Pikeville University in Kentucky, Western Michigan University, and Muskegon Community College where he retired in 2020 after 24 years. His work can be found in the public collections of West Michigan Symphony, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon Community College, Kellogg Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Albion College, Millikin University, Art Center of Battle Creek, and Pfizer Corporation.

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(Statement)

Much of my inspiration comes from history and science.  Images are partly based on my own sketchbook inventions and others are pulled from science textbook illustrations and classroom anatomical models.  I use these references as points of departure to explore possibilities of greater symbolism and metaphor.  As an aid to interpreting my work’s content, you could view these pieces within their rather narrow historical or scientific context first but then consider how they might also relate to broader environmental, psychological, spiritual, or philosophical concerns.  

 

The varied symbolism of fire is a consistent element in much of my work.  At times, the more obvious destructive aspects are emphasized but more often- and more interesting to me- are the many other associations we have with fire. These tend to focus on more philosophical and spiritual connections. 

 

After several years of working with this symbolism, I then realized it made a lot of sense to incorporate the actual byproducts of fire- charcoal, embers, ashes and other carbon based media- into the pieces.  This led to the more recent series of drawings.