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"(title can be furnished if you request it)" J.B. Daniel names his series "graymatters," but from here on out, this viewer shall refer to the series as "Results of psychological survey conducted specifically on adult females with the goal of determining exactly what it is that dominates the female psyche." Or, perhaps for convenience sake, we shall simply call the series, "The J.B. Daniel Survey." At first glance, more modest viewers might find the J.B. Daniel Survey to be somewhat of an uncomfortable viewing experience. The series, composed of repetitive images of an adult female form, faces the modest viewer with unabashed, cold, scientific nakedness. Heads, necks, and everything from the knees on down remain absent from the female forms. They stand mute and anonymous. They are reminiscent of Rene Magritte's, "The Eternally Obvious" in that they, too, depict segmented, cold portions of the female form as seen perhaps through the detached gaze of science. As the modest viewer chooses this moment to walk away from the piece, the curious viewer decides to move closer in. After taking stock of the repeated anonymous female forms, the curious viewer's eye closes in on the clear, vellum envelope placed precisely, even scientifically, over each form's shoulder area. The envelopes substitute for heads, their varied contents include objects and images used to suggest issues that dominate the female psyche. The grid-like presentation, the computer-generated images, the anonymity of the female forms, and the precise placement of each delicate envelope on each page are all unvarying elements on display in The J.B. Daniel Survey. The one element that does vary from piece to individual piece here is the varying contents of each envelope. All this suggests that Daniel is conducting a scientific fact-finding mission here. Perhaps the question that Daniel, on his mission, has posed to each anonymous female applicant is, "What thought is dominating inside your head at this moment? Tell me, what is on your mind?" The results, as concluded by the contents of each envelope, are humorous, sometimes sexual in nature, and seem surface-like, when taking into consideration how complex and messy the female psyche really is. The J.B. Daniel Survey brings to mind similar surveys conducted and reported on in popular newsstand pickings geared towards women such as Cosmo and Mademoiselle. Perhaps this is Daniel's intent? Perhaps not? Perhaps The J.B. Daniel Survey is not so much a scientific study conducted on external applicants as it is a study conducted on the artist himself. Perhaps when viewing the series, we are catching a glimpse of Daniel's own psyche in reference to how he views women or how he wishes to view women. The J.B. Daniel Survey on J.B. Daniel? An interesting idea, and one that is presently being pondered by this curious viewer! -Deb Sokolow, Artist - Chicago, IL