Figura Project
The driving force behind the Figura Project is an enduring interest in the natural world and the human body; its depths, shapes, the shadows and its full resonance with the arts of life.
Utilizing 420 sculpture clay, my work examines the link between form and material to create sculptural yet, functional pieces. Informed by biomorphic and architectural practices, I attempt to combine these elements to cast the true reflection of Earth; elemental, organic, and volatile by focusing on its negative space through silhouette and deep shadows.
The notion of space is central in my process. The space within, between, and around my sculptures. Some pieces are created with negative space as the primitive approach, following with volume and shadow. Wired lighting is used to further capture the elements of negative space in an attempt to fully immerse the viewer to experience space within these sculptures as it relates to the gaps of a human body and the cavities of earth.
There is also a time-based quality to the physicality found in my work. Each piece is created over several days. The work concentrates on the drying phases of clay to allows for manipulation in texture and shape to fully embody Earth’s many surfaces, but more specifically the sandstones found across the canyons.
Each sculpture holds a story, I document each experience and emotional response during the creation of each piece. The sculptures are more than clay, but of the human hand and human thought, both delicate creations from Earth.
Eden Sculpture
The first sculpture as part of the Figura Project.
In an attempt to create a parallel between earth, clay and a woman’s body, using body, angles and depth this vessel was created.
Birthing Cave: The woman of the Hopi tribe would hike up to this cave right before going into labor to sit and wait and pray until their child was born.
Both earth structure and ceramic piece, confirmed a universal language in art.
Birthing Cave in Sedona, Arizona
Credit: Ever Changing Horizon
Vita Sculpture
The sculpture was inspired from the Delicate Arch in Utah. An Earth structure that was started forming 56 million years ago. Throughout the years of weathering and erosion, the arch became what it is today.
In some odd way, earth is creating its own sculptures/structures around the planet. And in an attempt to bring pieces of Earth into homes, through the minerals found on Earth, I hope to bring appreciation to Earth’s own art.
This piece started off as two and later conjoined at the top to become one. It inspired the word “twoness,” a term coined by W.E.B Du Bois, an African American civil rights activist, is to “describe an individual whose identity is divided into several facets.” As an American and a POC, I find that I have to adjust in accordance to those identities.
This sculpture inspired the few words.
In my process, an object helps produce an essay or parts to it. Or thoughts/words help produce an object.
Delicate Arch - Arches National Park, Grand County, Utah
Photographer: Marshall Robinson; © 2015
Jacinto Sculpture & Nova Sculpture
Research on the formations and structures in the Antelope Canyon of Arizona and Caves in Utah.
Attempting to test the limits of clay when expanding its body and trimming the excess to expose greater depths within the vessel.
Words inspired by the life found in the vessel as it chose to curve and move on its own. As a ceramicist, I use clay to start a meditation that allows the mind to move freely and quietly.
