Public Sculpture Exhibit

This Sculpture was accepted into a national juried exhibition at The Bascom in Highlands, NC.

Artist Statement: Seven Iceland poppies stem from the center of a splash of water. Each flower consist of three petals that represent being made new. Poppies are a reoccurring motif of the artist and in this particular piece are used to reflect individuals who have made Jesus Christ their Lord. The inspiration comes from various areas of scripture: Living Water (John 4), Rooted in Christ (Colossians 2: 6-7), and flourishing through having a relationship with Christ.

Artist Statement: Although the United States may not be as extreme as other places, there is still an expectation that women are to be "pure." This piece illustrates a justice scale that shows how the world has put so much weight and value in the purity of women and how in doing so it is devaluing women. Why does the world sexualize woman for things that they have no control over? Why are women belittled for their anatomy? Why are women being punished for nothing at all? On one side of my justice scale we can see the white daisy that is representative of purity. On the other side we see a female figure that is completely red, in an ashamed pose, and held together by strings like a puppet. In my piece the daisy holds most of the weight, although it is just a flower, it is shown as heavier and more important than the human figure.

Artist Statement: For the work titled “Mr. Penguin”, my process began at brainstorming ideas for a public sculpture. I chose to do a penguin skiing and started to pick my materials. I made a steel armature, wrapped the piece in chicken wire, covered it in newspaper, and then paper maché –ed over it with newspaper strips and wood glue. I then painted over it with acrylic paint to really bring Mr. Penguin to life. Mr. Penguin was also technically a place holder name for him but I forgot to change it so it is what it is. The sculpture uses color effectively to tell the viewer what the sculpture is but also using cool colors to pull the viewer into the penguins cold environment. There is balance in the sculpture (not literally unfortunately ) but in the composition the same light blue is repeated in the hat of the penguin and brings you down to the light blue in the skis. This helps to keep the viewer focused on the sculpture as well and bringing them through it. My desire to create this sculpture stems from my love for penguins. I have stuffed animals, décor, and other random various things I own that help feed my penguin obsession. I wanted to be able to make something fun that I loved that I know other people would love when they see it as well. I also wanted to dip my toes into working with less serious concepts and do something just more fun without it absolutely having to have some deep meaning to it.

Artist Statement: One step forward, three steps back, lost memories, growth in pain, and music to groove to plus exploration of steel gave way to what I have titled “Lola”. This process of bending, mending, and welding steel rods to form Lola headed way a new direction of growth in my own heart and a love for steel sculptures. 

This exhibit is currently empty. 

Artist Statement: Nature. I feel like humans take it for granted since we are within nature all of the time. We walk around grass, see it while we are driving or even just the plants that are in your home right now. Even water in general that is freely around us in our homes, lakes, oceans, or ponds is a beautiful creation in nature. I created a sculpture that asks people to observe and appreciate nature and realize how beautiful the world that God gave us is. By mimicking the lines, shapes, and motions that waves, plants, leaves, flowers, and bark obtain I was able to create a tree like sculpture with these shapes and make a bigger form. The lines create movement throughout the piece along with organic shapes. Additionally, I chose more Earth toned colors such as brown, orange, blue, and green and brightened them to illuminate the objects even more to enhance their beauty. To further develop the surface, I took what I love, painting, and physically painted two-dimensionally on a three-dimensional piece to further put what I love to do in this piece. Ultimately, this nature sculpture is to be viewed from afar while you are walking and catch your eye such as nature does all around you.

Artist Statement: This project was created in ART 302: Sculpture II for the Public Sculpture Project.  The artist chose to explore and experiment with new materials.  Beginning with a welded steel armature, the image of the banana was rendered using an outdoor version of paper maché.  Paint was used to create a recognizable surface.  The sculpture is intended to be a light-hearted addition to the campus.

Artist Statement: This project is an imaginative expression of one of my friend’s face. I value friendships a lot in my life, and Hampton is one friend that sticks out from most to me. I created and drew images of stuff Hampton likes like hunting, fishing, dogs, nature, and other outdoor activities. I spray painted my sculpture camouflage colors like greens and black that symbolizes colors Hampton wears. The reasoning behind why the steel rods are like they are is because Hampton is all over the place. Hampton is always on the move and going in twisting directions. I admire Hampton’s drive and what he does as a person. That’s the kind of drive I strive to uphold as well.

Artist Statement: Over the summer I was given the opportunity to work with kids at a summer camp. Every day they were given time to go outside and just simply have fun. As I watched I could remember the times when I was their age. No worries, no assignments and no major conflicts as long as I was outside enjoying being young life was good. Though the sculpture is supposed to depict a young black American girl I don’t want that to be the main focus. Because as kids you do not understand the concept of race or who or what you are. I want people to view this sculpture and be able to reflect on a time when they had no worries. Lastly, the title of the piece is called "Lil mama" because in my family that is what we called most young girls that resembled or acted like their moms at a young age. Though the nickname is harmless to the child; it does push the idea that young black girls are more mature than they actually are. Though she will one day grow up in this moment in time her childhood is more precious than ever.

Artist Statement: This sculpture was created for the public sculpture assignment in ART 302: Sculpture II.  The artist chose to use the element of line to define the form of a cup of coffee and a donut.

Artist Statement: This sculpture was created in ART 402:  Sculpture III based on the idea of a mythical guide to the afterlife.  The bird was meticulously created completely out of steel with individual feathers and lots of detail.  The bird flies carrying a lantern and a ribbon.