Distillation of the Soul

Materials: Clay, glaze, glass

Artist Statement: This clay vessel represents the self and a process of spiritual transformation. Hand-formed clay contains imperfect shapes and marks resonating with our humanness. The vessel’s legs rise from the ground with thick dark colors and heavy textures reminiscent of the seed scales of pinecones and earthy physical roots. The lower belly of the container is covered with watery colors and barnacles representing emotional forces that cling to our core like small vessels holding nourishment. The upper portion becomes more lightly colored and textured reflecting increasing airiness and thought. The lid on top of the pot contains a ball dropping, creating ripples that echo the physical, emotional, and cognitive contents of the self in outward motion. The arms of the vessel lift upward reaching for more and transforming into spouts from which emerge a single crystal droplet. The final distillation of spiritual clarity and the treasure of the self. Being human is living within all of these levels of energy from earthy to spiritual and using the force of who we are to act within the world.

Letting Go

Materials: Plaster, wire, paper, glass. 

Artist Statement: LETTING GO (2022) is a plaster, paper, wire, and glass mixed-media sculpture emerging from a personal and ongoing process of healing. This work carries forward the language of woven wire used in previous works giving physical structure to internal story and connections. The plaster cast of the open hand serves as a container for sharp emotions, while the organic shapes and twists of wire which flow fluidly from it, carry away the pain and anger in the form of glass shards. This piece honors the universal experience of holding onto painful emotions and memories which through time and healing we slowly release.