Spiral Series

It is commonly held that as human beings we are more interested in ourselves than anything else. I remember rejecting this at first because I've always thought it was the other way around: that human beings are adventurous, creative and curious explorers of what is outside of us. It is ironic that both statements are true, because the best way to understand ourselves is to do it by understanding the world around us. This dualistic way of thought is how I've learned to understand and make art. Art to me is a conduit that connects the inner world with the outside, and I understand it through the language of dualism. My work is the result of my curiosity of the world around me; specifically what I have discovered in the world within myself. Currently my work has evolved into a series of ceramic sculptures. Encased within are steel rod skeletons with a textile support structure. Working with steel and yarn gives me the strong yet flexible structure to form and apply the clay onto. Putting the work into the kiln to go through the ceramic process transforms the work. The clay is now stronger than steel, yet the steel is softer and continues to provide support. I am fascinated with this process and what it does to the relationship between the clay and steel materials. I see the dualistic elements in the materials and process; they contribute conceptually to both the way I work and think.This thesis will analyze the theme of dualism with my work in three parts. The first part is about the idea and inspirations behind the work. The second part is about the transition from the idea of dualism into examples of my work. The third part will be about the development of the process, materials and methods.