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Thursday, 27 March 2008 |
My work is a combination of traditional, modern and original design. I am inspired and heavily influenced by traditional tribal arts from Africa, Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican, Pre-Columbian South America and the South Pacific. But I am also influenced by the modern art genres of Futurist, Suprematist, and Constructivist art. It could be said that because I like these modern styles but also like tribal arts, my style might be best described as Eclectic. Consequently, art forms outside of the sculptural tradition also play a crucial role in my art. For example, I will sometimes borrow from architecture, pottery/ceramics, fiber and glass art. Often these forms give me ideas that I will try to incorporate into my own art. Finally, there are my own original designs. This is not to say that originality is any more or less a part of my art than the other influences but rather that it is more like a transparency layered over everything I make. It is something that is inherent but not always obvious. It can take the form of completely original ideas or it can occur in the form adding, removing or combining aspects of a piece or style of art I am more directly influenced by.
It should be noted that there are some important difference between my art and traditional tribal arts. Although I will often create stories for my sculptural works and masks I do not believe that my art has a religious or spiritual aspect. Rather, I create these pieces because I admire the aesthetic qualities of this art form. |
