Evocation by Fire show setup

The gallery set up for my thesis exhibition at the Ceramics and Metal Arts Building on the University of Washington campus.

Pieces from right to left are as follows:

Auk
Shining Flame
Hound of the Destroyer, view 2
Dancing at the Gates of Destruction
Dream-Eater, detail
The Duality of Time
Hope-Bringer (wall), detail
Doubt-Bringer (pedestal), view 2
Firewalker, view 2

Artist Statement accompanying display:

Evocation by Fire. Essentially, to remind, call forth and/or re-create, imaginatively re-create by fire. The fire is both real heat and symbolic and both are used to create these pieces. The symbolism lies in the use of an adaption of a meditation technique I was taught, to find some of my creatures.

Fire is a creative and destructive element, symbolically and secularly, as is the human mind and psyche. I'm interested in perspectives, such as the question of the well known, half full or half empty glass, but applied to many other viewpoints. Also, the process of developing perspectives and opinions is intriguing because they are elements that change constantly with the environment, whether to strengthen one side or another, or weaken one side or another.

I'm also interested in mythology and the sacred art and symbolism that goes along with it, particularly when it comes to element's of an individual's personal shrine that give little glimpses into the lives of their owners and creators. Sacred objects that have been removed from their proper places, also interest me, especially ancient pieces that had been revered by many in their days of grandeur. These pieces sometimes gain a presence of their own, observing you observing them. Some always remain silent, quiet, and asleep and others are plainly just objects and little more. Meaningless and dead.

My current work has partly involved creating creatures as part of my own mythology either from imagery alone or using a base of anthropomorphised symbols combined into a whole animal, as well as allowing creatures to declare themselves to me and become their own mythology, while some are a combination. Their colour scheme is inspired by the black and gold statues of Egyptian deities, the poses used are a combination of forms given to sacred animal art as well as taxidermy poses.