July/August/September
2011
Seed (#9)
plywood, pine, acrylic caulk, graphite, acrylic paint
36" high x 12" wide x 6"deep
New Sculpture
Over the span of the last couple of years I have been developing a series of new sculpture that is informed by a combination of observations of nature and an emerging understanding of the iconic cultural representations of the Northwest Coast region. Through this protracted period of exploration I have given dimension to an assortment of totemic columnar concept sketches. The pieces have been created using a variety of materials from wood to cast nickel. The sculptures that are featured in this newsletter are made of plywood, acrylic caulk and plaster with graphite drawing. They are currently the largest pieces in the series and range in scale from 36" to 60" high.
Through these pieces I've been striving to find a balance that gives the viewer a sense of my desire for an "equality" between innovation and a rooted historical perspective. As I have worked out my vision for these sculptures I've become aware of my appreciation of and affinity with totemic forms and the sculptural structures inherent to Branchusi's and Tsutakawa’s work. The combination of those references and my personal vision works to create a mysterious yet familiar aesthetic that remains open to a wide spectrum of potential interpretations.
Each piece, standing as herald, guardian, and kin, is layered with connotation - some as obvious as botanical and biological and others more obscure and nuanced like mythological and ancestral.
Left Image: Tornado
plywood, pine, acrylic caulk, graphite
60" high x 15" wide x 8"deep
Right Image: Ancient Tower
plywood, pine, acrylic caulk, graphite
60" high x 15" wide x 8"deep
Self Portrait
mixed media, dimensions vary
Creativity
Throughout history, in darker days than these, artists crafted utilitarian objects and produced individuated works of art because they were driven by the desire to create, and to communicate regardless of their circumstances. Creativity by its very nature has the potential to flourish and inspire even in the midst of difficult and uncertain times. Certainly the economic challenges that the world in general (and the United States of America in particular) has been experiencing for the past couple of years have had some effect on everyone. Within our society, certain segments of the population have felt the effects of the tightening markets much more profoundly than others, which forces an ever-increasing number of our fellow citizens to live on less, as they struggle to decide which daily necessities they’ll do without. Food, shelter, and security become the ultimate focus. All too often creativity is swept aside.
I'm not exactly sure where Abraham Maslow would have located art or the creative process on his hierarchy of needs, but the longer I live the more I try to advocate for the inclusion of art and creativity in our daily lives regardless of the impending circumstances. When I consider the depth and the expansive opportunities that art and creativity can inspire in individuals as well as in communities I'm made aware that creative expression – especially rooted in a desire to be generative – will continue to benefit humanity. It is precisely during difficult times that creativity should be embraced and encouraged because it is creativity that will illuminate potentially new viewpoints, which may lead to valuable alternatives in problem solving. Remember MacGyver? Okay, so not a great art example, but he was pretty darn creative in the midst of seemingly hopeless situations!
During the past few years a great many people within the art world have felt the reverberations from the shaky economy. Museums are searching for new ways to operate more effectively as conventional sources of funding are drying up or disappearing altogether, and as cities are experiencing large numbers of gallery closures, artists are actively trying to figure out how to maintain an audience for their work. Especially at the business level artists are being forced to think creatively in order to endure. Thankfully, as a species we are resilient and have an innate desire to not only survive but to thrive. So, as we all consider our possibilities let's be sure to remember to carry along copious amounts of duct tape and a Swiss Army knife so we can creatively MacGyver our way through the day-to-day. Creativity is an important key to unlocking the door to an exciting future.
Broel Art Labels
The two new white wines that Foundry Vineyards recently released showcase images of my artwork on the labels. The wines are beautifully crafted, and demonstrate characteristics as unique as the labels themselves.
Layers of nuanced fruit and hints of oak make the 2010 Chardonnay a rich and interesting wine. The layers of paint, paper and graphite that make up the abstract botanical image on the label work well to compliment the wine that is inside the bottle.
Bursting with crisp citrus notes and subtle undertones of minerality, the 2010 White on White is a bright and energetic wine, which is complimented by a crisp white label with a blind embossed line drawing of a paperwhite flower that adorns the bottle.
Both of these wines are available in limited quantities, and they are a perfect compliment to summer. Only 50 cases of the White on White and 100 cases of the Chardonnay were produced for the 2010 vintage. Contact Ali Mayfield (winemaker) at the winery to place an order for these wines, and feel free to ask to have the bottles hand-signed. Foundry Vineyards is located in Walla Walla and can be reached via email: ali@foundryvineyards.com or via phone: 509-529-0736.