Enjoy the mesmerizing portfolio of photographer Wayne Anthony Rice, who shares a collection of works from his Artificial Reality series. Find more by visiting his website.
![Artificial Reality art](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-O-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-16x24-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality O” Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 16″ x 24″
Ice crystals form on the surface of a car windshield on a frigid winter morning. I look closely and see a whole world in that ice. Cracks and shards of white and cool blue flow one into the other. Reflections dance across a department store window filled with light, shadow and translucent color.
![Digital print of artificial reality series](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-OR-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-16x24-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality OR” Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 16″ x 24″
Whether I’m climbing into my car or walking down a city street, my eye is inevitably drawn to the abstract. Through the lens and frame of my camera, they become visual journeys. It’s my passion and maybe obsession.
![Print from artificial reality series](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-AQ-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-16x24-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality AQ” Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 16″ x 24″
I guess I have always been drawn to the abstract. I used to spend hours in my grandfather’s jewelry shop watching him create his beautiful jewelry. Jewelers wax was a plaything for me when I was a boy. “Do you have a picture of it in your mind?” grandpa asked. “Yes,” I replied. “Good. Now, slowly and carefully carve it into the wax,” he said with a smile.
![abstract print from Artificial Reality series](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-Y-2-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-24x36-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality Y-2″ Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 24″ x 36”
What I saw in my mind were edges, angles, shapes and lines and I carved them into the wax. I didn’t really understand what I was doing. My grandfather never judged. He just smiled, nodded approvingly and turned back to his work.
![Surreal abstract photography](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-BG-3-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-16x24-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality BG-3″ Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 16″ x 24”
My first formal experience with abstract art was through my father, who was a metal sculptor. He had been commissioned to build a large wall sculpture out of steel. I watched every step of him building it, and to this day it is still one of the most memorable and impactful experiences of my creative life.
![Surreal abstract photography](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-B-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-16x24-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality B” Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 16″ x 24″
Straight vertical lines flowed into organic and powerful horizontal shapes washed in a blue-red patina on the steel. It was what a peal of thunder might look like and it mesmerized me. It was an amazing and mysterious discovery.
![Abstract photography diptych](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-O-2-Diptych-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-8x12-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality O-2″ Diptych, Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 8″ x 12”
I’m still chasing that mystery, that discovery. I even seek it out in things that have become commonplace, like the liquid crystal displays of computers, tablets, phones, and televisions.
![surreal abstract photography](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-NL-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-16x24-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality NL” Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 16″ x 24″
During the pandemic, I began delving into my experiences and relationship to media technology. I found these screens to be windows into a surreal and captivating version of reality. Time is manipulated, sometimes truth is manipulated and with entertainment, real moments in time are abstracted to weave stories. Whether a virtual meeting, social media, a movie or newscast, I couldn’t help but aim my camera at these screens and begin exploring.
![abstract fine art photography artificial reality series](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wayne-Anthony-Rice-Artificial-Reality-BC-Acrylic-Reverse-Print-on-UV-Acrylic-Panel-16x24-2.jpg)
“Artificial Reality BC” Acrylic Reverse Print on UV Acrylic Panel, 16″ x 24″
Through color, depth, shadow and light the compositions speak subtly of environment, a mysterious place yet discovered. With the Artificial Reality series, I seek to take you on a visual journey into the abstract, a journey I have been on since I was a boy carving jewelers wax in my grandfather’s workshop.
Wayne Anthony Rice invites you to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Speak Your Mind