I'm particularly excited about Harbinger, shown below. There's a point in your process where you hit something magical. The work is changing, and so are you, and there's no telling where either of you will go together. This one is particularly special. As I was cutting these long strips, in all senses actually eviscerating the paper; I started thinking about what we give and take from each other in relationships (friends, lovers, commerce, art). We're in a constant negotiation of carving, pinning, taking, giving, ripping, tearing, gluing, building. Some have mentioned it reminds them of Rapunzel, which I find apt - hair trailing down the edge of a tower. What did she really expect to get in return for bearing his weight, what was he really after while pulling on those tresses? We each carry a bizarre set of expectations and compromises.
My friend Joel says this is a mean piece but not in a mean way. He meant that it's a cruelty to tear out the heart of something and leave it hanging by a thread. He's right. But I just think it's truthful. What else is there but to give all of ourselves to anything, to everyone? If we laid ourselves bare to each other, there would be little room left for confusion or dishonesty; I am here for these reasons, I am going after these things.
On that naked bare wall, shining bright beneath a frame and the trailing vestiges of its covering lies true beauty. I can't wait to see where this new work takes me.
Harbinger Rives Heavyweight 2009
Harbinger (detail) Rives Heavyweight 2009
I love your statement "what did she really expect to get in return for bearing his weight..."
ReplyDeleteThat is something to think about. Your work is wonderful. Glad it is taking you to magical places.
Jaime Lyerly
Thank you Jaime!
ReplyDeleteI think that any of us, in any role, can be either of those people in our push/pull. It's something worth thinking about in everything we do.
What a great metaphor for the constant turmoil in modern life, thanks.
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