Transcendence Through Ephemeral Sculpture of Foreign Fauna

Abstract

The overarching purpose of my practice has been an effort to find personal fulfillment while living my religion through making sculpture. For the last several years, I have primarily used plants as my subject. I have always loved enveloping myself in nature and experienced a significant awakening to the bizarre and wonderful world of flora in Micronesia at a young age that continues to permeate the best of my dreams. The excitement of adventure and discovery has never left me, resulting in the creation of fanciful objects or immersive experiences. The complexity, natural attractiveness, and variety of nature provide an enticing challenge that fulfills a personal and cultural desire to invest labor or careful dexterity into my work. Careful observation of nature has led me to appreciate and even celebrate its more gruesome or unpleasant aspects such as death, decay, and disease. To this end, I have utilized impermanent media such as unfired clay, wax, and metal that decompose or rust while on display. This work has established a foundation of curiosity for an immensely satisfying life-long occupation.