Hope

"Hope" was a return to hands-on creation for me. My studies had been so computer-centric that I knew I wanted to do something that didn't rely on pixels as the primary means of execution. I decided to do a 3D creation of mixed media-acrylic and enamel paint, clay sculpture, and assembled and re-purposed pieces in plastic, wood, and natural elements.

I wanted the piece to be relevant, to have meaning, and say something about humanity's ideals of what is and isn't important. We so often forsake the natural in pursuit of political, strategic, religious, or economic gain. War is a good example of this.

Hope Sculpture

Hope Sculpture

I purchased a gas mask, soldier's helmet, sculpy, and a medical human replica skull. I cut and weathered these items using a Dremel, paint, sand, and bits of dried and live flora (native to Vancouver). The completed assembly would symbolize war-wear

I purchased a gas mask, soldier's helmet, sculpy, and a medical human replica skull. I cut and weathered these items using a Dremel, paint, sand, and bits of dried and live flora (native to Vancouver). The completed assembly would symbolize war-weary humanity, a soldier of a long-past war who died on the battlefield for a cause no one remembers. 

I also have had a lifelong appreciation for birds, and wanted to incorporate my love of our feathered friends into the piece. Emily Dickinson wrote a poem that utilized a symbolic bird as the embodiment of hope. Birds have also been seen as a symbol

I also have had a lifelong appreciation for birds, and wanted to incorporate my love of our feathered friends into the piece. Emily Dickinson wrote a poem that utilized a symbolic bird as the embodiment of hope. Birds have also been seen as a symbol for peace, so I juxtaposed this hope against the despair of seemingly endless war.

I sculpted three eggs out of clay, and painted them to match wild bird eggs. I then constructed a nest of twigs and other natural dried items, and added a few feathers from Greedo, my Conure for authenticity. Eggs represent youth, the future, and the hope that the next generation brings.

I nestled this into a hollow in the skull-perhaps a crushing blow delivered to the soldier resulted in a hole in both the helmet and his skull. Time and nature did the rest, providing a warm shelter for a bird to nest. The piece needed a stand of s

I nestled this into a hollow in the skull-perhaps a crushing blow delivered to the soldier resulted in a hole in both the helmet and his skull. Time and nature did the rest, providing a warm shelter for a bird to nest.

The piece needed a stand of some sort, and I wanted to push the themes in the piece a bit more, so I found an old weathered wooden soda crate. I filled this with more natural material, added the gas mask assembly, weathered everything a bit more, then stencilled locations of battles throughout history on the sides.

A stencil of Emily Dickinson's poem over everything provided the finishing touch. We fight, at great loss of what we think is important, and through it all, somehow, nature perseveres. Human nature vs. Nature. Hope above all.

A stencil of Emily Dickinson's poem over everything provided the finishing touch.

We fight, at great loss of what we think is important, and through it all, somehow, nature perseveres. Human nature vs. Nature. Hope above all.

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