Number 23: The Head of the Minotaur

The content here was inspired by some of Picasso's work from the 1930s.

With this piece I have started to integrate into the design a protective case for this type of piece. Since this is high-relief, and has a painted surface instead of the apparent cast metal, I felt I needed to build a shipping crate around the piece to protect it for storage and shipping. If you have every seen art being shipped to and from museums you will notice that each piece has it's own custom made crate. When I look at this piece on the wall, it reminds me of art sitting it it's own crate as you might see it with the lid removed. This art however is never removed from the plywood surround, and in fact is meant to be displayed like this, although it could be framed. I like the contrast between the rough, functional plywood and the smooth glassy and polished metal look of the rest. Form AND function.

Wood, epoxy, spray paint, spackle.

14.5" H., 11.5" W.

This is the protective lid I built for shipping and storage puposes

Number 19: The Unicorn

The subject of many of my previous pieces had a very "testosteronie" content (i.e. skulls, swords, etc.)

I wondered what I would come up with if I moved 180 degrees.

I have been fascinated by the color pink, as it seems to be the only gender-specific color. So that was the first step.

For content I guess I'm sort of trying to channel the aesthetic of an 11-year old girl, hence: the unicorn, and tiara.

I feel this still falls within the range of mythical content that appeals to me.

Wood, acrylic, epoxy, spackle, glitter, tiara,

17"H. 14"W.

Here is a sort of "moodboard" I came up with early on.

Number 15

This is a wall-hanging relief piece titled "number 15".
The content is an upside down stylized heart in a pool of blood. This is the start of an approach to content where I'm trying to make use of heavily loaded symbols, but present them in a way to communicate something new. The materials are similar to the art in my last blog entry, in that it has a high-gloss finish and acrylic jewels. I like how this piece has both a "modern" and "old-fashioned" look to it. Although the content may be somewhat dark, I don't think the viewer would find it gruesome.

Wood, acrylic, Sculpey, plaster, epoxy
15"H. 12"W.

Crucifetish # 2, 3 & 5

This is a series of wall-hanging sculptures I'm producing. They are variations on a theme. In this case the cross is really just something to hang paint on, a clothes horse for art materials. There is obvious loaded meaning to a cross that may apply to the end user though. The content does come into it when I combine the concept of "the Cross" and "fetish" although it's really just me being playful. I'm into mimicking the look of different materials on these; cast aluminum, leather, rivets, steel.

Wood, acrylic, glass, steel, sculpey, bling

all pieces 13"H. 9"W.

Click on detail images below to enlarge

Number 10

This is another wall-hanging relief piece titled "Number 10".

It's content is the tension between a bird in flight and the static quality of it being frozen in a metal surround. In addition to that, the formal contrast between the bright red and the cool metal finish.

Acrylic, Sculpey, wood.

12"H. 9"W.

The shield of the visitor

Click on above image to enlarge

"Talisman series #11 - The shield of the visitor"

This piece is another mixed-media, wall-hanging sculpture. I was shooting for a duality of reading between a predatory head, and a wood and metal shield.

I had a thumbnail in my sketchbook of an animal's head, with a single eye, that I tentatively titled "The Visitor."

This seems to be another defensive themed piece. I'm trying to delve deep for my imagery, so the specifics of the iconography and theme are not clear to me.

Acrylic, Sculpey, spray paint, wood.

15"H. 8"W.

Inspired by Terminator 2: Judgment Day

click on above image to enlarge

 

This is a piece from what I could call "the crazy crap series"

This wall-hanging sculpture is inspired by the film. More specifically, the title sequence of the film, (stills are shown below). I assume the connection would not be evident to the viewer, although the concept "Judgment Day" and the iconography of this piece might make sense to the viewer... (dead rising?)

But, since I have the ability to give the backstory here, I will...
I've always thought it was a good title sequence. The film itself was epic. Not high-art, but a heavy hitter of pop-culture none the less. In the 5:32 long title sequence, a playground is engulfed in a firestorm, accompanied by Brad Fiedel's languid Terminator theme. (see images below)

I make no claim to be a sculptor. As an artist though, I do think reaching out to different materials make for a unique set of challenges that one would not otherwise encounter. Does the material itself have meaning? What content lends itself to one medium and not another? The conceptual issues are so different when you decide to execute something in 3D verses 2D.

Acrylic, gold glitter, cell phone bling on wood (...don't make me get the macaroni out)

9.5" H. by 6.5" W.

click on image to enlarge