Student at Laney College, Oakland, CA
Student of Susannah Israel, Laney College, 900 Fallon St,
Oakland, CA 94607, (510) 834-5740, sisrael@peralta.edu
Artist's Statement
My mother died this winter. She was my inspiration. I grew up surrounded by her art, her vision, and her sense that every action, object, and vista can and should be beautiful. She taught me to draw off the edge of the paper and to never be afraid of making mistakes.
I started attending Laney College in Fall 2002 with the intention of creating life-size Mayan glyphs in-the-round. My instructor, Susannah Israel, has taken me so much further, teaching me not only the mechanics of producing high quality ceramic sculpture, but encouraging me to pursue new directions, trust my instincts, go deeper, and to allow 24-hours after taking a piece out of the kiln before making a final decision about its success or failure.
A background in archeology has shaped my world view. I try to bring a sense of universality, cultural diversity, and timelessness to my pieces. I work quickly so the clay body influences the final form as much as my own ideas. Texture is more than just a surface; it changes the shape and feel of each piece. I try to invoke a gut response from the viewer; something that comes from deep inside the primitive part of the brain, rather than a refined, analytical assessment.
Often sculpture can appear static. Interested in movement and energy, I am exploring hanging sculpture from the ceiling, immediately producing a different perspective and more fluidity. In my ground-based sculptures, individual pieces do not fit precisely into each other; askew and overlapping they feel off balance, as if in movement, capturing the vitality of life.
Size is an issue most sculptors face. I work the entire gambit, usually starting a new technique or style with smaller pieces that fit comfortably in my hand and are easy to make. With deeper exploration, the size grows larger, stressing the clay and sculptor.
Seldom is my sculpture one piece standing alone, whether figurative or abstract, focus is on the assemblage. Each piece, unique, can stand alone, but is only complete as part of the larger whole.
Employed full-time in a demanding job, nevertheless I am driven to make art. I put other responsibilities aside to bring out my inner soul; to share my thoughts, ideas, and interpretations; to work with clay and feel alive.