C O M M I S S I O N S : H E M L O C K S E M I C O N D U C T O R
In 2010-2011 I was commissioned to create two new paintings for the new Hemlock Semiconductor plant being built in Midland, Michigan. Hemlock Semiconductor, a unit of Dow Corning, creates photovoltaic material (such as is used in solar panels) from raw quartz.
The Manager of Analytical Research provided me with extensive photographic material, including shots of the new cleanroom being built with its network of pipes exposed, beautiful in its geometry, and material samples from the production process which provided for a wealth of interesting texture and color inspiration. These reference materials guided my own research and the formulation of the composition and palette.
An assortment of reference images, including crystal specimens from the Smithsonian, molecular structures, and electron-microscope images of surface texture.
The client sent me images of the location where the finished painting was to be installed while the building was still under construction.
I used the photos of the building under construction and supplied measurements to create a mock-up so that the client could better understand the scale of the painting in their space.
Oil on canvas on panel
30x65” (tetraptych)
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporate Collection
For the second painting, we repeated the process of the first, using construction photos and measurements to mock-up the painting in progress in its eventual location.
Oil on muslin on panel
42x58” (diptych)
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporate Collection