Conceptually, my sculpture has been directly inspired by the immortal narratives from Chinese lore. Immortals are beings that begin their existence as human but over time enlightenment transforms them spiritually and physically into creatures that can travel between this world and other realms. I am particularly fascinated by the dual nature of this idea. The immortals have embraced their regular humanity so completely that they ironically have become visually and metaphorically something other than ‘normal”.
I suggest this duality by synthesizing the sculpture’s involved and rhythmic surface with its classical form. Ultimately I am interested in creating both a vibrating and stoic humanistic presence, that is intended to imply the psychological and spiritual complexity within. The sculptures also have maintained their average and everyday names like Butch, Sam and Jane. This is another direct way the dual nature of the immortal is implied.
My work consists of wood forms surfaced with a self-invented wood overlay method related to the intarsia technique. The coloration of each work is achieved by the wood tiles natural hue in conjunction with acrylic pigmented grout. I use only discarded wood in the creation of each piece. Inlaid gaming tables from the Middle East have played a particularly important role in the aesthetic formation of this work.