The Sky is Not Falling at the Women's City Club ArtPrize Exhibition Center
A 1500 square foot paper cloud out of 10,000 pieces of office paper. All the work done on site with the helping hands of volunteers.
Transformation is inherent to the work: transforming a physical space- how we use it, how we perceive it; transforming a common material, in this case office paper, into something uncommon- re-presenting it, changing its function. The work is composed of ten thousand sheets of office paper, all folded, shaped, and hung on site using the hands of many volunteers. The making process is an engaged community building activity, many people coming together to create something that is larger than what a single set of hands could make. Each person that has participated in the making leaves the piece with stories of having met new people and having made something extra-ordinary.
A 1500 square foot paper cloud out of 10,000 pieces of office paper. All the work done on site with the helping hands of volunteers.
Transformation is inherent to the work: transforming a physical space- how we use it, how we perceive it; transforming a common material, in this case office paper, into something uncommon- re-presenting it, changing its function. The work is composed of ten thousand sheets of office paper, all folded, shaped, and hung on site using the hands of many volunteers. The making process is an engaged community building activity, many people coming together to create something that is larger than what a single set of hands could make. Each person that has participated in the making leaves the piece with stories of having met new people and having made something extra-ordinary.
CloudForms
Within the Cloud series I present a matrix, a filter for light to play through. It is not a moment of walking into a space to gaze upon an object on a wall. It presents an opportunity to experience an environment, to study the relationship between light and form, between space and viewer. The viewer is required to be active, to participate with the space, to turn one's head to see a certain angle, to lie on the floor to gain a new vantage point, to discover the continuously unfolding patterns and rhythms. The Cloud series presents an imagined micro view of the cloud structure, crystalline droplets being played upon by light, translated to a macro scale. The light plays with the natural opacity of the velum from which the droplets are constructed, creating layers upon layers of cast shadows. The experience is a condensed and structured mimicry of natural phenomena and akin to staring at the clouds, or watching the wind sweep across a field of wheat, or laying on the ground staring up through a canopy of trees.
Nimbus, Atelier Rondo, Graz, Austria, 2011
Red Sky Morning, Geeslin Gallery, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, 2010
Box of Cloud, Installation Nation, Primary Colours, Indianapolis, IN, 2010
Spring Cloud, Dittmar Gallery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 2010
Cloud Form 09.09, ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009
Cloud Form 03.09, HungryMan Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009
Cloud Form 02.09, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI, 2009
Doctor TJ Eckelberg, ActiveSite IV, 21st International Sculpture Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, 2008
Within the Cloud series I present a matrix, a filter for light to play through. It is not a moment of walking into a space to gaze upon an object on a wall. It presents an opportunity to experience an environment, to study the relationship between light and form, between space and viewer. The viewer is required to be active, to participate with the space, to turn one's head to see a certain angle, to lie on the floor to gain a new vantage point, to discover the continuously unfolding patterns and rhythms. The Cloud series presents an imagined micro view of the cloud structure, crystalline droplets being played upon by light, translated to a macro scale. The light plays with the natural opacity of the velum from which the droplets are constructed, creating layers upon layers of cast shadows. The experience is a condensed and structured mimicry of natural phenomena and akin to staring at the clouds, or watching the wind sweep across a field of wheat, or laying on the ground staring up through a canopy of trees.
Nimbus, Atelier Rondo, Graz, Austria, 2011
Red Sky Morning, Geeslin Gallery, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, 2010
Box of Cloud, Installation Nation, Primary Colours, Indianapolis, IN, 2010
Spring Cloud, Dittmar Gallery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 2010
Cloud Form 09.09, ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009
Cloud Form 03.09, HungryMan Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2009
Cloud Form 02.09, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI, 2009
Doctor TJ Eckelberg, ActiveSite IV, 21st International Sculpture Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, 2008
Metaphysical Wallpaper Testing Labs, 2010
Installed at Site:Lab, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Woodblock prints and photos, digitally manipulated and printed.
Metaphysical Wallpaper, 2010
Collaborative project with Phillip Hanson installed at the Garbageman Astronaut Project Space, Portland, OR, USA
Digitally manipulated and printed images originating from traditional woodblock prints and assemblages.
Installed at Site:Lab, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Woodblock prints and photos, digitally manipulated and printed.
Metaphysical Wallpaper, 2010
Collaborative project with Phillip Hanson installed at the Garbageman Astronaut Project Space, Portland, OR, USA
Digitally manipulated and printed images originating from traditional woodblock prints and assemblages.
Baldaquin, 2010
A site specific installation for the Cook Entryway of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The work was composed of aproximately 6,000 forms made from folded and sewn paper. The three dimensional forms will hang from the ceiling creating a canopy that will be played upon by both natural and artifical light. Baldaquin is defined as an ornate canopy that covers a sacred space, shrine, or object. The term is derived from Baghdad, where the fabric for such a canopy once originated. The piece is based on two basic points of departure: 1 - creating a beautiful visual experience, 2- playing with ideas of Theogony, how people define and explain the divine.
A site specific installation for the Cook Entryway of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The work was composed of aproximately 6,000 forms made from folded and sewn paper. The three dimensional forms will hang from the ceiling creating a canopy that will be played upon by both natural and artifical light. Baldaquin is defined as an ornate canopy that covers a sacred space, shrine, or object. The term is derived from Baghdad, where the fabric for such a canopy once originated. The piece is based on two basic points of departure: 1 - creating a beautiful visual experience, 2- playing with ideas of Theogony, how people define and explain the divine.
ASK – World Tour 2011
Installed at Living Arts, Tulsa, OK
To ask is to seek information, to make a request.
A one mile long continuous ribbon of color fabric is woven into a curtain that wraps the gallery walls. A stack of white fabric cut into tabs for viewers/participants to use to write down a wish or prayer or idea or dream or hope, an ASK of some sort. Participants tie their ASK to the curtain, eventually turning the surface of the curtain white with all the hopes and dreams of the community. This piece is based off a traditional springtime New Year Gypsy festival I attended while Observer in Residence at Caravansarai in Istanbul. Hundreds of strings of tied fabric pieces were hung off the sides of buildings and people would tie their wishes to the curtan, marking the crawl out of winter and their hopes for the new year.
- Baoda Arts, Nil project space, Graz, Austria
- Site:Lab, Art.Downtown, Grand Rapids, MI
- West Michigan Center for Art & Technology, Grand Rapids, MI
Installed at Living Arts, Tulsa, OK
To ask is to seek information, to make a request.
A one mile long continuous ribbon of color fabric is woven into a curtain that wraps the gallery walls. A stack of white fabric cut into tabs for viewers/participants to use to write down a wish or prayer or idea or dream or hope, an ASK of some sort. Participants tie their ASK to the curtain, eventually turning the surface of the curtain white with all the hopes and dreams of the community. This piece is based off a traditional springtime New Year Gypsy festival I attended while Observer in Residence at Caravansarai in Istanbul. Hundreds of strings of tied fabric pieces were hung off the sides of buildings and people would tie their wishes to the curtan, marking the crawl out of winter and their hopes for the new year.
Canopy, 2009
2000+ flattened & stamped leaves, installed at Gallery Sho.Dan, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a collaboration with Montreal Artist Shilin Hora
The image is that of a canopy formed by trees, within the canopy eyes appear. The eyes are symbols, ways of understanding, their form mimics that of a leaf. Something in watching. Throughout human history we have been compelled by the idea that something is watching us, looking for wrong doing, protecting us, taking care of us, shunning us. Our perceptions frame this relationship, this understanding.
2000+ flattened & stamped leaves, installed at Gallery Sho.Dan, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a collaboration with Montreal Artist Shilin Hora
The image is that of a canopy formed by trees, within the canopy eyes appear. The eyes are symbols, ways of understanding, their form mimics that of a leaf. Something in watching. Throughout human history we have been compelled by the idea that something is watching us, looking for wrong doing, protecting us, taking care of us, shunning us. Our perceptions frame this relationship, this understanding.
Canopy Curtain, 2009
200+ four color wood block prints
Installed at Frans Masereel Centrum, Kasterlee, Belgium
Prints were produced and installed as part of a residency at the print center. Prints were donated and installed during April 2011 at Wealthy Theatre and West Michigan Environmental Action Council as an Earth Month fund raising effort for each organization.
200+ four color wood block prints
Installed at Frans Masereel Centrum, Kasterlee, Belgium
Prints were produced and installed as part of a residency at the print center. Prints were donated and installed during April 2011 at Wealthy Theatre and West Michigan Environmental Action Council as an Earth Month fund raising effort for each organization.
One Thousand Arms, 2008
installed at the Open Concept Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
998 screen prints on cloth, cut, sewn, sound
Based on the One Thousand Armed Bodhisattva of Compassion, this work invites viewers to explore the role of compassion in their lives. A bodhisattva is a person who has reached enlightenment but chooses to return to the physical plane of existence to help others. Bodhisattvas are often given special powers and attributes upon their return, and the Bodhisattva of Compassion was given 1000 arms to be able to offer more compassion to humanity.
The idea of action is central to the idea of compassion. Compassion is an active state, not an emotional state. Compassion is to suffer for, with, on behalf of another. Compassion is to take on someone else’s suffering for them, to carry the load, to provide them relief from their burden. The viewer’s participation is symbolic of the act of compassion. The piece contains 998 “arms” with gallery visitors being invited to add their two arms to complete the piece.
installed at the Open Concept Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
998 screen prints on cloth, cut, sewn, sound
Based on the One Thousand Armed Bodhisattva of Compassion, this work invites viewers to explore the role of compassion in their lives. A bodhisattva is a person who has reached enlightenment but chooses to return to the physical plane of existence to help others. Bodhisattvas are often given special powers and attributes upon their return, and the Bodhisattva of Compassion was given 1000 arms to be able to offer more compassion to humanity.
The idea of action is central to the idea of compassion. Compassion is an active state, not an emotional state. Compassion is to suffer for, with, on behalf of another. Compassion is to take on someone else’s suffering for them, to carry the load, to provide them relief from their burden. The viewer’s participation is symbolic of the act of compassion. The piece contains 998 “arms” with gallery visitors being invited to add their two arms to complete the piece.
Chenrezig Lotus, 2008
1000 screen prints on cloth, 10 feet in diameter
Installed at ArtXChange Gallery, Seattle, WA for "What Does Compassion Look Like?"
A national juried exhibition of artwork exploring Compassion, a partner with "Seeds of Compassion Gathering," welcoming His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Seattle.
Also exhibited at "Virtual Identities, Real Spaces"
A national juried exhibition at Sego Art Center, Provo, UT
1000 screen prints on cloth, 10 feet in diameter
Installed at ArtXChange Gallery, Seattle, WA for "What Does Compassion Look Like?"
A national juried exhibition of artwork exploring Compassion, a partner with "Seeds of Compassion Gathering," welcoming His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Seattle.
Also exhibited at "Virtual Identities, Real Spaces"
A national juried exhibition at Sego Art Center, Provo, UT
One Thousand and Eight Hands, 2008
installed at KCAD Atrium Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
1008 screen prints on black velvet cloth, cut
The image of the eye-in-hand has been associated with the idea of seeking, knowledge, enlightenment and connectedness in cultures throughout the world. The overall form is that of the un-ending circle, mandala or labyrinth. The viewer is invited to enter into the center of the piece
installed at KCAD Atrium Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
1008 screen prints on black velvet cloth, cut
The image of the eye-in-hand has been associated with the idea of seeking, knowledge, enlightenment and connectedness in cultures throughout the world. The overall form is that of the un-ending circle, mandala or labyrinth. The viewer is invited to enter into the center of the piece
Mala, 2008
installed at KCAD Atrium Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
108 woodblock prints on Kitakata paper, sewn.
A mala is a set of prayer beads that contains 108 beads used in the practice of chanting and meditation. This piece is a set of nine prints in editions of twelve each, for a total of 108. The ultimate form of the piece is that of a circle, a continuous unending loop. To view then entire loop the viewer must climb to the upper levels of the atrium, inviting a physical examination of space.
Also installed at A City Studio Gallery, Bay City, MI, 2008
installed at KCAD Atrium Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
108 woodblock prints on Kitakata paper, sewn.
A mala is a set of prayer beads that contains 108 beads used in the practice of chanting and meditation. This piece is a set of nine prints in editions of twelve each, for a total of 108. The ultimate form of the piece is that of a circle, a continuous unending loop. To view then entire loop the viewer must climb to the upper levels of the atrium, inviting a physical examination of space.
Also installed at A City Studio Gallery, Bay City, MI, 2008