The GateKeeper Vs The Masquerade

The human body has been utilized in these works as a mode of exploring science fiction and personal myth. I create armors and masks that often adorn as well as obscure one’s true identity. In today’s high‐tech era, these physical metal objects relate to the creation of a digital face as seen in Facebook and other social networking media. Masks and armors are used in my work to fabricate and re‐engineer personal identity.  Industrial materials such as copper, brass, steel, and aluminum are utilized as physical adornment in addition to electrical components. By dawning the mask along with a persona, it becomes possible to indirectly provoke discomfort from the lack of true information about oneself. As the kinetic sculptor and jewelry artist Ira Sherman asks, “Are people recognizing the moral consequences of their technological achievements?”

Thank you Elaine Bezold for the excellent Photography! 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

Pop Performance and Penland School of Crafts

 

 

 

 

 

A Bit of Collage in Between!

While I mostly work in Found object assemblage, metals, etc, I have been more recently experimenting with a bit of Collage for fun.

 

  

 

Pocosin Artist in Residence

Today was a spectacular day as I found out that I have been selected for the Pocosin Artist in Residency program in Eastern North Carolina! It is a great honor to have such an opportunity and I am excited to work with as well as learn from the Pocosin Arts Folk School!



The Pocosin POCOSIN ARTS FOLK SCHOOL from Minnow Media on Vimeo.

Columbia, NC, Home of POCOSIN ARTS FOLK SCHOOL from Minnow Media on Vimeo.

Pocosin Arts Folk School CABIN FEVER RELIEVER from Minnow Media on Vimeo.

Pocosin Arts Folk School ARTS in EDUCATION from Minnow Media on Vimeo.

Tea Time!!

38th Toys Designed by Artists

Today I received an email informing me that the G23 Pneum-O-Matic has been accepted for the 38th Toys Designed by Artists at Arkansas Arts Center from November 21st to January 6th! So if your in Little Rock around then, stop by, have a look, and enjoy all the great work that will be on display during the event!

Show Synopsis  

"The Toys Designed By Artists exhibition engages museum visitors, delighting young and old alike. In 1973, the Arkansas Arts Center initiated an exhibition of toys designed by artists. Inspired by Alexander Calder's circus figures of the late 1920s and early 1930s, this exhibition was launched to stimulate the imagination of both children and adults and to engage them with toys of whimsy, delight and good craftsmanship. The tradition continues this season with the 38th Toys Designed by Artists. This international juried exhibition challenges artists to take the concept of "toy" and make a personal expression - a piece of art. The wildly inventive toys selected often hearken back to the days before plastic and mass production, when all toys were handmade and, whether simple or elaborate, engaged the imagination of both maker and user."

TEDxCoMo

 A few weeks ago, I was offered the opportunity to be a speaker at the TEDxCoMo: The "City 2.0" which is an independently organized TED event by Cale Sears and Keith Politte. I graciously accepted and developed my speech around the assigned topic of Adaptive Reuse & Creativity. This was a 10 Minute presentation and I was first up in the line up of several other wonderful speakers that morning! Although challenging, this was a fantastic learning experience and I am looking forward to participating in future speaking opportunities to add to the dialog of recycling as a means of art creation.

Synopsis
"My work as an artist in Found Object Assemblage has been a process of re-innovation upon object which have become obsolete or dis-functional. I utilize old typewriters, defunct industrial equipment, and or kitchen appliances as a raw source of material to construct sculptures that reflect a science fiction narrative or fantasy. It is my goal to promote aspects of wonderment and awe from sculptures which infer a likeness to a ray gun or jet pack, but simultaneously rein-gauging society with these objects that were obsolete, discarded and forgotten."

Tribune Coverage

The Robots Are Here!!!

Its Official! The Robots have arrived and have done so with not the intention of enslaving the human race but instead to help assist the Ragtag Cinema in its mission of keeping its doors open and its technology up to date! It has been an honor to have been a part of this project as well as a deeply inspiring learning experience. Lumen now has the stage and will serve as a crucial part of this fund raiser. A silent auction has been initiated for the sale of Lumen with a goal of raising $20,000 by the end of the year in order to complete the large theater in the cinema. Thank you to all who make Ragtag Possible! You have done a great deal in assisting my dreams and I will forever be a supporter in theirs as well.

Ragtag Needs Robots: KickStarter 

KOMU Coverage

Ragtag robot kicks off fundraiser for digital upgrades - Columbia Tribune

Ragtag reaches fundraising goal to go digital - Columbia Tribune

Ceding Ragtag to the robots - Columbia Tribune  

Missourian Article

Vox Talk