“Shadow”

Wood, Steel, Copper

This piece delves into the phenomena of light, exploring how wavelengths manifest in their opposites. At the heart of the work lies a forged copper form, one of the most conductive materials, symbolizing the transfer of energy through particle movement. This central element alludes to the potential energy present in all matter. Embedded within an abstracted image of a neuron, the composition evokes a kind of ‘Rorschach’ effect, inviting multiple interpretations. The surrounding metal framework, inspired by neuronal network diagrams, casts shadows that further transform the piece, adding layers of complexity to its structure and meaning; the piece changes form as the viewer changes their positions.

Images from the Union Hall exhibition “Perception Shift” in Denver. Curated by Amy Hoagland.

“Paradox of Entropy”

Cast iron, 18-karat gold fused damascus steel, brass, forged bronze.

Elements of this piece are inspired by the James Webb telescope which is designed to detect the longest type of wavelength in the EM spectrum: infrared. The process of plating the beryllium mirrors involves vapor deposition, where gold is vaporized within a vacuum.

In a broader scope, it reminded me of the seemingly contradictory laws of thermodynamics. When abstracted and distilled, they state that energy within a system will always remain constant and will simultaneously never stay the same. It will continuously dissipate into chaos. At the core is a hexagonal piece of Damascus steel, deeply etched to reveal its 'raindrop' pattern, with 18-karat gold fused to the surface, highlighting the texture beneath. A glass lens, set in a brass bezel and bronze prongs, magnifies the centerpiece. The cast-iron form surrounding it references an earlier sculpture, symbolizing the origin of life.

“Wane”

Steel + glass

This piece was an examination of the capacity of heat energy within voids. A sense of ambiguity is emphasized when these materials “absorb” one another. The human experience is filled with a multitude of perspectives and emotions that often occur simultaneously; the duality is mimicked in this artwork. The opaque black glass sensualizes the light, softening the hardened vectors of welded steel beneath it.

“Substratum”

Steel + Glass

This piece serves as a window into metaphysics. My body of work has the tendency to examine the nature of reality including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and value, the essence of the universe and our place within it. By sculpting through thermal manipulation, I investigate these ideas, leveraging materials with cosmic origins to evoke an abstract “window” for interpretation. Here, I extended the glass to its limits, letting it shape and distort around the negative space framed by the steel structure, effectively “freezing” it in its current form. The glass’s image stretches, resembling how I imagine space distorts around gravitational forces across the universe.

“Through the Skin”

Leather + Mirror + Wood

 This triptych honors the intricate geometry mirrored within ourselves, presenting abstracted platonic solids cut from leather (skin) to expose a mirror beneath. This reflective surface captures the viewer and their environment, allowing glimpses of both self and surroundings within the voids. Here, refracted elements of our atmosphere emerge, blending inner and outer worlds through these geometrical forms.