My works are a reflection of the urban spaces and exteriors I observe and detect. What’s interesting about the surface of streets and sidewalks is how substantial and tenacious they are, and while moving over them they visually de-form. I rearrange the patterns and textures that I notice into an abstract composition made out of clay. The forms are reorientations of static flatness and by blending or infusing them they become dynamic. The urban environment can seem like a playing field with its markers and boundaries. These features, rather than posing limitations to movement, can be an opportunity for collaboration, calling for physical and visual engagement. Physical activities like walking, running, skateboarding, and bicycling are all opportunities to experience and interact with inner-city surroundings.
Building the forms by bending and connecting clay slabs and glazing the works with fluid, melting glazes, I strive to represent the way that objects can be in “flux” or “stable”. It raises questions about the idea that boundaries are not always as rigid or secure as they may seem. Color plays an important role in my work, as does the urban environment. Some color designs are authoritative, prompting reaction and advising caution. Other color choices exploit the sub-culture palette of graffiti. Juxtaposing these contrasting uses of color creates a convergence between street art and urban signage. The sculptures themselves serve as a reminder that we shape our surroundings as much as it shapes us. |