Baubles

 

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The effort to make small sculpture with a large presence resulted in this series: Baubles. Scraps and powered clay were soaked to slurry then allowed to dry to a paste like consistency and then manipulated into rough abstract forms, which were then shaped by tearing, folding and carving. Once fired all the work was cold finished by the application of lacquer and metal leaf. 

 

The Baubles depicted are mostly all smaller than six inches in any dimension. They are identified alphabetically A to X. As the pieces have multiple postures and often opposing contours and finishes, two views are represented for each. 

 

These works were influenced by the rough textural Meteorite sculpture of ten years prior and a continued interest in forms and concepts of Chinese Scholar Rocks or Gongshi. 

 

While baubles are generally defined as "...a small, showy trinket or decoration... embellished with glittering touches... something that is superficially attractive but useless or worthless..." these small sculptures, in this aesthetic context, attempt ironic content that stands as a testament to much of contemporary culture and life.