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Clay Archives

Myths & Portraits

Myths are glazed stoneware torso figures with references to Greek mythology. Their enduring tales inspire the arts and even infiltrate pathology, as Narcissism from Narcissus. The paper-like “Echo and Narcissus” sculptures are reflected in their mirror bases. In Ovid’s account, Echo falls in love with Narcissus who doesn’t notice her. While Echo’s body withers away until only her voice is left, Narcissus falls in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water. “Seated Nike” is from the Greek goddess of victory. My version is seated rather than in flight as, the grand “Winged Victory of Samothrace” installed at the Louvre. Slabs of clay are formed, bisque-fired, then sprayed with layers of glazes. “Antigone” is built in multiple parts and minimally glazed in brown. In the Greek myth, she is the daughter born of the unwittingly incestuous union of Oedipus and his mother, Jocasta.

Portraits are fanciful interpretations of real or imagined people articulated in porcelain or stoneware clay that use face molds and slab techniques. Surface details are painted in glazes. “Duck Lady” was inspired by a stranger who feeds ducks at the park lagoon. My father died just a few years before I created these two autobiographical figures. “Words from My Father” is a double and shadow figure. “Pretender” is a female torso with a male figure arising from the crown of her head and a shadow figure. “Love Ear-Earrings" is a porcelain bust of a woman who wears 'Ear' earrings. The muse of love hovers nearby.

Art as Story
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