"When the Rattlin' Bough Breaks" (2024)
56"w x 20"d x 10"h.
Palm fronds, stiffened fabric, styrofoam.
In this latest addition to my "Rattlin'" series, I continue to expand my imagined world of the "rattlin' bog" by combining the dynamic energy of the natural world with the static patterns and colors of commercially manufactured fabrics. The graceful palm fronds, though damaged and fallen, are brought back to life through the whimsy of fantastical growths comprising kaleidoscopic fabrics and different textures.
"Hanging by a Thread" (2024)
48"h x 44"w x 8"d
Fabric, netting, tree branch and bark
An emotive form inspired by a feeling of life's tenuous nature, anxiety and uncertainty, evoking a life in shreds interrupted by brief flashes of joy. When it was finished, I realized that the form was also reminiscent of a political map of the U.S. and reflective of the delicate balance of democracy and the state of the republic prior to the 2024 election.