WOodfire Scribblings

Transitions

The first kiln I built is now long gone and its replacement is finally (after 4 years!) completed. Long live the new kiln! Normally these things do not take such an extended period, but following my father’s death in 2001, a number of things prevented me finding the time to work on the construction.

Also following my father’s passing, I have stopped signing my work. If you would like a signature, please let me know and I’ll do so with a Sharpie®.

After producing thousands of the heads I am taking an extended break from their making. I appreciate the support and interest you have shown for them. I hope you might find something in the new work going forward that interests you.

Many of the stands for this show are perhaps out of the ordinary to those one would expect. In fact, they are made out of odds and ends left from the construction of the new kiln. The paint color was chosen as it reminded me of the dominate color of the equipment I used so long while doing physics research in Van Allen Hall.

The boats are an outgrowth of an interest in both the form and possible connotations. The form draws from the initial phase in forming some of the heads as well as from historical reference to work from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Vikings. Working with the historical referral of this form to the moon, the horns of bulls and boats, I build the bases to add modern counterpoint. The combination of the old and new, as well as personal experience, is hinted at in the title of each piece. I have in the past avoided titling work, but boats are traditionally named and in a manner that allows for great latitude in doing so.

The boxes relate to the abandoned farm houses that dot the countryside near where I live. I work with the boxes in varying states of decay or completeness as a natural capturing of the ambiguity of these homesteads — their abandonment can be seen as failure or success depending on the actual circumstances of the former residents.

The sarcophagi are inspired by highly carved Hellenistic versions. I have moved away from direct representation but have tried to keep the three dimensional relief and energy/introspection associated with the loss of loved ones.

The reliquaries follow the path begun with the sarcophagi series in attempting to create large, massive forms to contain small precious items, much in the same way as the historical efforts in preserving bits of the Saints. But I have allowed the user to interact with the item by creating these with readily removable lids.

Thank you for your interest in this new body of work!

jek
Fall 2005

2008 Scribblings
2007 Scribblings
2006 Scribblings