ReForm: Silence to Presence
This body of work explores impermanence and preservation through the transformation of cardboard; an everyday, fragile material; into enduring sculptural forms. Cardboard is often associated with the temporary: packaging, transience, displacement, and disposability. It is lightweight, vulnerable, and designed to be short-lived. Here I use cardboard not as a finished material, but as a skeleton that carries the imprint of consumption and the marks of its former life.
Once assembled, these cardboard forms are coated in layers of plaster, shifting their identity from ephemeral to permanent. This transformation is both physical and conceptual. The plaster hardens and fixes the surface, creating a sense of durability and weight, while still allowing traces of the original humble material to remain visible.
By encasing cardboard in plaster, I invite a reconsideration of what we value, preserve, and discard. I aim to create a space for reflection on impermanence - not as an end, but as a beginning.
This body of work explores impermanence and preservation through the transformation of cardboard; an everyday, fragile material; into enduring sculptural forms. Cardboard is often associated with the temporary: packaging, transience, displacement, and disposability. It is lightweight, vulnerable, and designed to be short-lived. Here I use cardboard not as a finished material, but as a skeleton that carries the imprint of consumption and the marks of its former life.
Once assembled, these cardboard forms are coated in layers of plaster, shifting their identity from ephemeral to permanent. This transformation is both physical and conceptual. The plaster hardens and fixes the surface, creating a sense of durability and weight, while still allowing traces of the original humble material to remain visible.
By encasing cardboard in plaster, I invite a reconsideration of what we value, preserve, and discard. I aim to create a space for reflection on impermanence - not as an end, but as a beginning.
Entangled series
Spin-offs aren't just reserved for television; in the realm of art, a single series can birth a new creative journey. In my exploration of "Life-lines/Laugh-lines," delving into the symbolic visual elements of handwriting, eye colour, and fingerprints, I found myself particularly drawn to the concept of lines. This fascination led me to ponder how these lines could manifest in three-dimensional form. Beginning with a mixed media 'line,' I elevated it from the confines of a flat surface, transforming it into a dynamic element that invites exploration from multiple angles. Eventually I began to see the similarities in natural forms as I saw snow on the trees outside my studio in winter, the tangles of roots of the weeds I removed from my garden in summer and the wild invasive grape vines I continue to battle as they weave their way through the forest near my home. Each is unique, each has its own personality.
Spin-offs aren't just reserved for television; in the realm of art, a single series can birth a new creative journey. In my exploration of "Life-lines/Laugh-lines," delving into the symbolic visual elements of handwriting, eye colour, and fingerprints, I found myself particularly drawn to the concept of lines. This fascination led me to ponder how these lines could manifest in three-dimensional form. Beginning with a mixed media 'line,' I elevated it from the confines of a flat surface, transforming it into a dynamic element that invites exploration from multiple angles. Eventually I began to see the similarities in natural forms as I saw snow on the trees outside my studio in winter, the tangles of roots of the weeds I removed from my garden in summer and the wild invasive grape vines I continue to battle as they weave their way through the forest near my home. Each is unique, each has its own personality.
Contrast and Compare series
When I prep for a new artistic investigation, I review past work and sometimes reinterpret it in a completely different way. Here I removed an earlier canvas from its stretched format and created 3D variations, moving from a flat painting into sculptural work. These pieces dig deep into being literally tied up in the past but wanting to open up new roads. It's often a circular path that returns me to the original work viewed in a new way with fresh eyes.
* Framing on demand. If it is to be picked up I use glass. If it is to be shipped I use plexi. It can also be requested without glass.
When I prep for a new artistic investigation, I review past work and sometimes reinterpret it in a completely different way. Here I removed an earlier canvas from its stretched format and created 3D variations, moving from a flat painting into sculptural work. These pieces dig deep into being literally tied up in the past but wanting to open up new roads. It's often a circular path that returns me to the original work viewed in a new way with fresh eyes.
* Framing on demand. If it is to be picked up I use glass. If it is to be shipped I use plexi. It can also be requested without glass.
Melodies and Motion series
This series examines the rhythmic movements throughout history that have been part of human existence since its origins, taking the forms of music, dance and rituals that combine both music and movement. In Melodies and Motion, I examine this bonding within communities through the wispy, thin lines created with wire, embellished with sparks of colour threaded though the wire constructions. I am translating the expressive physical art form of dance into a secondary static expression that embodies the choreographed motion of dancers and musicians. Music and dance performance has swung throughout history from free form celebratory individual/independent motions to restricted “immoral” dancing to formalized costumed and staged entertainment. As a visual artist I never create without music playing in the background. I am convinced this influences the outcome of my work’s aesthetic ideas and emotions and connects subtly to my audience when in this series.
This series examines the rhythmic movements throughout history that have been part of human existence since its origins, taking the forms of music, dance and rituals that combine both music and movement. In Melodies and Motion, I examine this bonding within communities through the wispy, thin lines created with wire, embellished with sparks of colour threaded though the wire constructions. I am translating the expressive physical art form of dance into a secondary static expression that embodies the choreographed motion of dancers and musicians. Music and dance performance has swung throughout history from free form celebratory individual/independent motions to restricted “immoral” dancing to formalized costumed and staged entertainment. As a visual artist I never create without music playing in the background. I am convinced this influences the outcome of my work’s aesthetic ideas and emotions and connects subtly to my audience when in this series.
To complement the Motion series, you will find below studies, abstractly based on dance notation.
Embraces series
The interwoven line of the fabrics that are intertwined with the supporting grid often wrapped with more delicate wires gives a sense of interwoven friendships and their connections through the medium of clothing, which signifies people. These are the people we haven’t seen in so long, the people with whom we have been unable to share hugs or a simple handshake. This coming together of these embraces in this series gives hope that, not too far down the road, we will once again be embracing one another in person, with enthusiasm and without fear. For now, we just have to embrace the detours until we get to our destination.
The interwoven line of the fabrics that are intertwined with the supporting grid often wrapped with more delicate wires gives a sense of interwoven friendships and their connections through the medium of clothing, which signifies people. These are the people we haven’t seen in so long, the people with whom we have been unable to share hugs or a simple handshake. This coming together of these embraces in this series gives hope that, not too far down the road, we will once again be embracing one another in person, with enthusiasm and without fear. For now, we just have to embrace the detours until we get to our destination.
River
Glass shards surround the main 3 elements reflecting the concept of water and the bubbles that one can see in river rapids. Their many colours are inspired by the light shining through the trees. 3D bubbles were created with the painted fabric knots. The lines of trees and underwater elements were created with metal sticks. The green hue describes the forest canopy in the calm areas of the river.
Glass shards surround the main 3 elements reflecting the concept of water and the bubbles that one can see in river rapids. Their many colours are inspired by the light shining through the trees. 3D bubbles were created with the painted fabric knots. The lines of trees and underwater elements were created with metal sticks. The green hue describes the forest canopy in the calm areas of the river.
Rhythms series
Here I am still exploring organic spaces with free-form abstract sculptures but this time with flat surfaces playing an important role. In these pieces I am looking at dance for inspiration for the movement, energy and rhythms of the body and music. Many forms of fiery Latin music come to me as I make these pieces that reflect the associated passion of the dance. (Not for Sale)
Here I am still exploring organic spaces with free-form abstract sculptures but this time with flat surfaces playing an important role. In these pieces I am looking at dance for inspiration for the movement, energy and rhythms of the body and music. Many forms of fiery Latin music come to me as I make these pieces that reflect the associated passion of the dance. (Not for Sale)
