Statement

Take an object/Do something to it/ Do something else to it. (Repeat) -Jasper Johns

I work primarily in clay, creating organic ceramic sculptures which I combined with collage and reclaimed paraphernalia that I discover serendipitously on walks at the beach and in my neighborhood. I gather items that look antique, rustic or anything from nature that appeals to me. I have used and repurposed pine cones, shells and old postcards. Discarded boxes, trunks or valises often encompass my collections. Repurposing still useful objects keeps me aware of how much waste we produce as a society. I like being able to breathe new life into the things others regard as trash.

Careful arranging of found and created objects into still life assemblages deepens my bond to the environment. I am mindful of the Japanese concept of wabi sabi which Leonard Koren in his book, Wabi­Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers, describes as “a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble.” I have been inspired by how Marcel Duchamp, Louise Nevelson and Joseph Cornell collected everyday items and used them in unexpected ways-often in reclaimed containers. In my sculptures, juxtaposed forms, textures and colors interact with each other to create a unified vision, a moment of quiet in our turbulent world.

The ties to my environment continue when I am involved with the tactile nature of my materials. My practice is a combination of experimentation and process. I take pleasure in pinching, coiling, slab building and throwing diverse clay bodies, making use of various glazes and firing techniques to get unexpected organic forms and surfaces. The diversity of nature fascinates me and I strive to mirror that variety in my work. Being attentive to shape, space and color strengthens my rapport with the world around me. Bringing curiosity and careful observation to my surroundings helps me to find a serene oasis in my daily existence.