Jordan Clayton’s most recent body of work focuses on the microbiology available from the artist’s own body. As Clayton describes his artistic process for this series: “I explore microscope imagery of single-celled organisms, bacterium, viruses, and fungus, which are then conceptualized into abstractions that nuance representation.” The artist uses what he describes as visual quantification – painting or drawing used as a way to record raw data from observation.
As for the inspiration, Clayton gathers his bacteria colonies from his own body. The harmless samples aim to create a more personal connection between the artist and his work, and contrast with his previous explorations into decay and pandemics. His use of abstraction with these subjects explores the possibility of infinite growth. As he states: “My bacterial colonies could, in theory be in any state of growth or size but are infinitely indeterminate until observed on a microscopic scale.” By observing and recording these processes, Clayton makes them real.
