2021

I tumble shards of broken pieces in sand and water to echo the erosive processes of ocean waves and river currents. I found myself impulsively sorting these pieces for storage in the studio, until the sorting became the work. The boxes and images, referencing a scientific methods of categorizing, became the perfect vehicle for my own quasi logic.

This series of slab-built work is about reflecting the natural world through geometrical expressionism, a space where the viewer can perceive the work in a personal way while relating on a level beyond language and rationale.

Title is from "A Monk Swimming" by Malachy McCourt, paraphrasing a ritual blessing "Hail Mary ... blessed art thou amongst women ..." into "Hail Mary ... blessed art thou a monk swimming ...".

After this piece was completed I decided to call it Perseus. Something about its powerful reaching forms made me think of this great Greek hero, slayer of Medusa, husband of Andromeda, great grandfather of Hercules.

This is constructed as a hollow box form and cut open.

A simple line considered as it runs up a tapering form and interacts with the gallery and lid. Lift the lid and see how the line continues on the inside!

Each image in this work represents a prayerful wish for happiness and prosperity. This work was meant to be a large talisman for bringing good fortune and protection from negative force.

In an age when communication is often depersonalized and filtered through screens and headsets, Talk to Me celebrates the beauty of human interaction.

The seated camel, a female, is wearing a cozy set of hump hats.

My surface decoration process bows to 11th century Chinese tradition of sgraffito slip carving. My carved leaf designs are a whimsical interpretation of English Arts & Crafts patterns.