Group Show - Affinity

University of Idaho Ridenbaugh Gallery

601 Campus Drive, Moscow, ID

2019

 

Metal-morphosis, my senior showcase, is a collection of sculptures that portray various animals in a representational yet fantastical style. I've always been drawn to metal as a medium because of its paradoxical nature. It can be rough, dirty, and flexible, but also smooth, beautiful, and strong.It defies expectations.

​

My process is one of exploration and celebration. I am fueled by curiosity and wonder, and often incorporate an element of play with my beloved muses. I take inspiration from each animal’s ecology and biology, studying their characteristics, anatomy, and kinesthetic. I wish to create a soul in my creatures. One that will allow my audience to reflect on their own raw beauty, complexity, and life in a framework of imagination and joy.

​

Within the juxtaposition of taking a traditionally “masculine and industrial” material and transforming it into a “feminine and organic” form lies my own struggle against pervasive stereotypes and expectations. Through the creation of these joyful beings, I have found a visceral, positive way to channel my experiences. Their existence stands as a reminder that despite being raw, rough, and imperfect, that we are alive, continually being forged and shaped into better, stronger, and kinder beings. We have all known pain, but we cannot allow ourselves to be overtaken by pain. Instead, we must become masters of our pain and make it our medium.