Artist Statement

The earth has provided us with amazing natural resources and entities.  We, as well-educated people, must take every possible action toward preservation.  To convey an aspect of this message I have created a series of three “living” sculptures, which represent the trend of growth, from the birth of an organism, to its adolescent stage, to its full maturity.  My work serves as a reminder that in our state of “going green” we need to guard these living things and ensure that positive growth continues well beyond our time on Earth.  The sculptures will appear to become larger, or smaller, depending on how one looks at them.  The first of the three lays flat on the ground (representing a beginning) the next begins to slowly rise, (representing growth) and the final is a vertical structure that is almost fully upright (representing maturity).  The pieces may also be interpreted in the opposite way, representing death or decomposition of the earth, which will occur if we squander the natural resources of our planet.

I strive to create amorphous sculptures with their own spirit, which reside outdoors and remain in a state of evolution (or devolution).  For this series I have chosen to work in iron, which is an organic material found within the earth.  The exterior finish of these pieces has been created entirely by nature.  Once cast, I brought them to a smooth and polished finish.  I then placed them outside so nature could perform the remaining work.  Rain and moisture in the air have given the sculptures a rusted finish, and as a result the surface will continue to develop over time.  Through this process my work will remain a living entity.  This project has been a collaborative effort between nature and myself.  It’s my way of raising awareness, paying respect, and connecting with the natural world.