Artist Statement
We humans will always rely on plants, animals, and each other to survive. Spending time in nature is a source of renewal for all people, regardless of demographic labels. However, the path of modern development is leading us away from seeing ourselves as part of the natural world. This false division grows when our thoughts and actions do not honour our relationships to other living beings. As such, we are negatively impacting our planet and climate ever more rapidly. Seeing ourselves as part of communities within the natural world helps us make positive, sustainable decisions in light of the changes we are witnessing.
Within the theme of "imaginary future evolution," each individual artwork is part of a larger concept, showing snapshots of our possible future. As ever, our future is uncertain, however our ability to affect what will happen is not. We are powerful when we work together. Our choice to value and protect nature today will allow us to see what strange and beautiful life-forms arise through the evolutionary process.
My concepts for sculptural work usually begin with studying depictions of ancient plant and animal life, and visualising something similarly strange yet beautiful. Tropical plants can reach immense proportions, while arctic plants are often compact and hardy. I play with scale, making comparatively large versions of life forms that would be tiny in today's nature systems, and vice versa. I always look for pattern, repetition, and contrast, and when I find these elements they often become the nucleus of a new idea.
Glass was originally my primary medium because it presents unique challenges in terms of sculpting and fabrication. Now glass and ceramic are both starting points, and I incorporate other materials as needed, including but not limited to: wool, lighting, steel, polymer, concrete, and wood. I fabricate components out of these materials, and assemble them. I will often have a plan for components I fabricate, but some pieces are placed in different artworks or held back until I am working on a piece where those components will be most effective.
My sculptures may be created using public input, or they may be created first and used as a component of a public engagement project. Interactive projects are designed to draw together a community that wants to focus on the valuable and unifying aspects of their lives. Given the current political climate, I believe we need to actively create more experiences which demonstrate our overwhelming similarities as people. By focusing on what we truly need, I hope to take space away from fear. Interactions guide viewers to reflect on something positive that they share with many others, while also providing space for individuals to reach their own conclusions about the value of nature and connections.
Within the theme of "imaginary future evolution," each individual artwork is part of a larger concept, showing snapshots of our possible future. As ever, our future is uncertain, however our ability to affect what will happen is not. We are powerful when we work together. Our choice to value and protect nature today will allow us to see what strange and beautiful life-forms arise through the evolutionary process.
My concepts for sculptural work usually begin with studying depictions of ancient plant and animal life, and visualising something similarly strange yet beautiful. Tropical plants can reach immense proportions, while arctic plants are often compact and hardy. I play with scale, making comparatively large versions of life forms that would be tiny in today's nature systems, and vice versa. I always look for pattern, repetition, and contrast, and when I find these elements they often become the nucleus of a new idea.
Glass was originally my primary medium because it presents unique challenges in terms of sculpting and fabrication. Now glass and ceramic are both starting points, and I incorporate other materials as needed, including but not limited to: wool, lighting, steel, polymer, concrete, and wood. I fabricate components out of these materials, and assemble them. I will often have a plan for components I fabricate, but some pieces are placed in different artworks or held back until I am working on a piece where those components will be most effective.
My sculptures may be created using public input, or they may be created first and used as a component of a public engagement project. Interactive projects are designed to draw together a community that wants to focus on the valuable and unifying aspects of their lives. Given the current political climate, I believe we need to actively create more experiences which demonstrate our overwhelming similarities as people. By focusing on what we truly need, I hope to take space away from fear. Interactions guide viewers to reflect on something positive that they share with many others, while also providing space for individuals to reach their own conclusions about the value of nature and connections.
