more final statement

Record of Force

            Since childhood I have loved science. Building and investigating is what I do. Growing up a mile away from downtown Denver I was able to explore the chaos of a densely populated city of people working together.  As the planet is developed and worked we create problems for ourselves.  These problems have inspired my work.  I explore opportunities within and surrounding unanswered questions in relation to our physically changing planet and new technologies. Everywhere I look I see the permanent impression humans have made and the irreversibility of the changes we have imposed. There has been an incredible amount of power used to build and shape the earth into what it is today.  I am intrigued by the current function of what we have built, and the future of what our creations can and will become.  For example, in Salem there is a warehouse that has been under construction for many years and it is unclear what the building will be repurposed for: apartments, stores or offices.  I am fascinated by the functional limits of the building, and the many new forms it may take.  Such inspiration translates into my work with found materials and clay.  I focus on the harmony between the solid object and the drying, contracting, cracking clay.  Each time power is exerted on an object the force is recorded, seen in the clay surrounding it. Working in sculpture allows me to make a physical presence, one that can be experienced.  My hope is to encourage people to think and understand the immensity and power of our creations.

Erwin Wurm

Map of influences

another artist statement draft

“If a person thinks the same way he did five years ago then he has wasted his time.”

Shattering a previous assumption brings light to the undiscovered.  In an epiphany a previous perception is dismissed; a person realizes they were wrong, feels vulnerable, regrets, stops wasting time and adapts.  These instances are defining, leaving us stronger. I love being surprised by answers to questions I did not know existed.

As a child I loved science.  Building and investigating stuff was what I did.  Growing up a mile away from downtown Denver I was able explore.  The chaos of the city is what I love about my childhood. In a densely populated city people work as a unit.  Impossibilities shrink with communication.  In my work I explore opportunities in unanswerable questions.  Being fascinated with the unknown I investigate epiphanies and their lasting impression on our development. 

I work with found materials.  Tangible objects carry their inherent meaning while symbols can only allude.  I like working in sculpture because gives my work more voice.  I think three-dimensionally, using volume and scale to make my work.  I want to motivate people to evolve to the changing world.

the body and my work

I work with environmental issues, specifically water pollution.  There is very little that can affect a person’s body as much as their environment.  The body absorbs what is around it and is able to adapt, metabolize and heal.  When drinking water is polluted our bodies are stressed and while they try to heal it is not always possible.  The introduction of minerals and heavy metals is detrimental to the environment and may never be removed. 

In my own work I use clay and mining waste, specifically iron right now, to explore the irremovability of pollutants from the organic.  I am currently leaching rust and iron into clay.  I am using two techniques to do so: first I am creating rigs that let water and iron sit on the clay and slowly seep in, second I am using running water to erode the clay, introducing iron I am able to create natural feeling riverbeds.  I am using clay because it can be dissected, it is pristine and it has density.  The clay serves as an analogue to nature, living creatures and our own bodies. 

I am not sure how I would use the polluted clay.  I was thinking of cutting cross-sections and making bathroom tiles.  I could also display the riverbeds as is, focusing on its texture.  I want to associate the clay with day-to-day life and living with pollution’s irremovability.  Taste is also important to my project. 

Newer artist statement

If a person thinks the same way he did five years ago then he has wasted his time

Shattering a previous assumption brings light to the undiscovered.  In an epiphany a previous perception is dismissed; a person realizes they were wrong, feels vulnerable, regrets, stops wasting time and changes.  These instances are defining and leave us stronger.

I grew up a mile away from downtown Denver.  The chaos of the city is what I love about my childhood. In a densely populated city people work as a unit.  Impossibilities shrink with communication.  In my work I explore opportunities in unanswerable questions.  Being fascinated with the unknown I investigate epiphanies and their lasting impression on our development. 

I work with sculptural materials.  Working in three-dimensions gives my work more voice.  I am able to use form and scale more precisely.  I want to motivate people.

My artistic influences

In reflecting on my work, I found individuality to be a major influence.  Michel Foucault discusses the philosophy behind the author.  He states the usage of the "author" marks the “individualiz(ing)” of ideas.  Organizing art by individuals structures a new genera discovery.  To me individual ideas developed by one person is is crucial to the practice of art.  Not to say art by any means is it a monocentric experience but to produce work one must know their self.  Art is about cooperation and sharing yourself and what only you can create.  It is very much a dialogue. 


I am inspired by this type of communication.  Every person has something different to say, and teach.  Art does not polarize (simplify) a person, it expresses them with depth not found anywhere else.  I explore anomalies, mutations, uniqueness, adaptation and epiphanies because my life revolves around these mysteries.  I work because I like learning.


Specific modern and post-modern artists I share practices with are Warhol and Duchamp.  Warhol worked in many mediums and styles.  He stress adaptation to an evolving (art) world.  In an interview he states, "you ought to be able to be an Abstract Expressionist next week or a pop artist or a realist without feeling you've given up something. "  I feel this is very true.  An artist explores and solves; working from many different angles generates insight.

Duchamp's concept of the readymade was revolutionary.  He made art without aesthetics, just the object its self.  Looking at the function and physicality of the world is unique (insane).  Duchamp created readymades "never dictated by aesthetic delectation."  I think ideas such as the readymade has strongly influenced art.  












I like contemporary artist Will Wilson.  He includes elements of history, his identity, technique and concept. His photograph Autoimmune Response # 5 portrays himself, a Navajo man, with traditional hair and mud paint in a post-apocalyptic landscape wearing respirators.  He is alluding to the 1979 flooding of a New Mexico reservation with radio active waist.  The photo portrays a struggle for life and the right to life; the man's respirator hoses are loose in the wind being ripped around at a surreal speed as if they are fragmenting.  He is mirrored in the photo so there are two of him back to back with arms (one left, one right) outstretched, presumably holding a camera (because none else can).  Overall the photo captures feelings of inhumanity and uncertainty in a difficult existence.  His work made me stop.