Chapter I presents my background as an artist born and raised in Romania, and describes my artwork in connection with my interests and experiences. Maps and traditional Romanian art are important sources of influence. The questions in the statement of problem deal with the way ideas, references to various elements, and installation impact the artwork. Chapter II discusses the installation at the Dallas Visual Art Center, the creative process, and how the artwork addressed the questions in the statement of problem. Important points are: a step into three-dimensionality with the tall, freestanding pieces painted on both sides, the use of topographical contours in creating shapes, issues of form and content as expressed in the painted surfaces, and the interaction of the individual works in the installation.

The first section explores how far I could stretch dichotomy in formal terms, while maintaining a visually resonant image. I wanted to manipulate a superficial surface filtered through "natural forms" as seen in scientific imagery. By this I wanted to create access to a place where forms could play and imagination could wander. I was seeking to find a confluence in seemingly opposing forces that would coexist in the same work. The second section answers questions I had established for myself. The most important discovery I made was about the true nature of what I called a dichotomy in my work. The last section discusses the conclusions drawn from mounting the Master of Fine Arts Exhibition. I found that my interests resided more in investigating an already confluent dualism, as opposed to reconciling a conflicting dichotomy.

This problem in lieu of thesis concerns voyeurism and fetishism and how they relate to art. It addresses at voyeurism from both sides of the gaze. It describes a body of work that was created to explore the relationship between the voyeur and the fetish object and the viewer and the art object.

Brief Artist Statement by Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain” in the Cora Stafford Gallery on the campus of the University of North Texas on April 1-6, 2021.

Work of art in digital collage, inkjet print on paper by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in colored pencil, gouache, paper by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in reclaimed textbook, tape, gesso by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain." (Reclaimed surgeon textbook featuring diagrams that were appropriated into pieces in the show, as explained in the Project Report.)

Work of art in watercolor, colored pencil, paper by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in collage, goauche, acrylic paint, wooden panel by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in collage, gouache, wooden panel by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in collage, gouache, wooden panel by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in colored pencil, paper by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain". (Hand motif appropriated from surgical diagrams in found textbook referenced in the Project Report.)

Work of art in digital collage, inkjet print on paper by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in ink, tracing paper by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain". Tracings from paintings that later served as starting points for new pieces explained in the Project Report.

Work of art in watercolor, colored pencil, digital print, paper by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in collage, goauche, acrylic paint, wooden panel by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in collage, goauche, acrylic paint, wooden panel by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"

Work of art in collage, gouache, wooden panel by artist Matthew Johnson as part of a 2021 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Phantom Pain"