Majolicas

Crossing the boundary between both Collapse and Renewal, the Majolica series reflect present environmental disasters and the hope for correction. Inspired by Bernard Palissy's (1510–1589) rustic-ware ceramics (which depicted nature and his fascination with the natural world), rich with diversity and absent any worries of loss. In the 1800s, Minton & Co. created “Naturalism Majolicas” one of the styles which became popular as the industrial landscape was growing and the realization that nature was becoming divorced from every day life. These Majolicas (though made of stoneware, not earthenware) reference climate change and man's interference in our environment.

Zebra Mussels: The lid and body of this pot has been taken over by Zebra mussels, just as these mussels are taking over our waterways and squeezing out the freshwater mussels which benefit the environment. Zebra mussels affect algal species, resulting in a shortage of food sources to native species of freshwater mussels and fish

Guam Invader: The outside represents Guam today invaded by Brown Tree Snakes among the flora of the island.
The inside represents the hope for the future, the Guam Kingfisher and Guam Rail who are now being bred in captivity with the hope that someday the snake will be eradicated and they will be able to return to the island.
During WW2, the US set up a military base on Guam (a US territory). Unfortunately, a hitchiking pregnant brown tree snake was on thte ship and proceeded to take over the islands eco system. With no predators, it wiped out many indigenous species including 13 of the 25 bird species, several lizards and still counting. Tree seeds, no longer spread by birds has led to a decline in the forests.

Zombie Urchins: The top presents one Sunflower Starfish, one Red Abalone, one kelp leaf (the key to aligning top and bottom) among an army of urchins. In contrast the hope for the future is depicted inside where you find 3 leaves of kelp with one Sunflower Starfish and one Urchin.
Off the cost of California a mass dying off of diseased Sunflower Starfish has resulted in armies of kelp-devouring urchins, turning the sea bed into a desert and endangering Red Abalone and other sea creatures. There are scientists hard at work trying various methods of saving this hidden environment.

Renewal

A celebration of nature, and our mutual connection

Geodes

Hidden beauty

Moss

Resilience and humility

Water

Fertility, motion, purity

Collapsed Forms

Stars

Magic and Hope

Sculpture has allowed new opportunities for chance and experimentation in a 3-dimensional form. Pushing the unpredictable allows a higher risk and a greater reward.

These sculptures are categorized by their inspiration. My early work was influenced by the rise of the digital in our world, at that time home computers and cell phones were beginning to be accessible to the masses. My artwork embraced the possibilities and began using the computer to create new ideas around painting. As the digital became more prevalent in society I began to incorporate traditional work into the digital paintings creating hybrid works with references to nature, especially to Climate Change.

My sculptural works are divided into 3 subjects which sometimes overlap:

Majolicas: detailed description above

In Praise of Nature: works that emulate trees, moss, rocks, etc that concentrate on renewal and hope

Collapsed Forms: works referring to distressing changes in our world

Some works fall into multiple categories.

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