WORDS TO MY STORY | JAMES HOCKENHULL

October 2 – 25, 2026 | Focus GALLERY

Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, from 5:30–7:30 p.m.; welcome and artist introductions at 6:00 p.m.

I am intrigued by the intricacies of human consciousness and perception, particularly their remarkable flexibility and unpredictability. I am captivated by our innate inclination to derive meaning from ambiguous visual stimuli, as computer artist Harold Cohen aptly described it: “the paradox of insistent meaningfulness.” While we feel certain that these images convey a message, the precise nature of that message remains elusive. It’s during this ambiguity that we embark on constructing our own narratives. I’m drawn to stories that are implied rather than explicitly stated. I have observed a correlation between our perceptual processes and artificial intelligence, particularly in the realm of databases, search engines, and pattern-matching. AI has presented me with novel perspectives and creative avenues for storytelling that I might not have thought of independently. My inspirations stem from the realm of art brut, kid’s drawings, Bay Area funk, surrealism, and other quirky art.