My interest lies in cultural notions of value and the use of commodities. The fact that most value is relative and subjective stimulates various questions. How do we perceive value? Do we treat or respect things differently when we view them as valuable? Is money valuable? What is the function of money and how does it affect our lives? I often associate these questions with current events such as the recent economic downturn, the housing market, the price of gold, and the banking crisis. These questions often prove to be more interesting than any specific answers they might summon and are mainly catalysts for my persistent analysis of value.
I create primarily small-scale and wearable sculptures of precious metals that I often combine with more ordinary found objects. I am drawn to fine metals such as copper, brass, bronze as well as the traditional jewelry metals, silver and gold, because they are loaded with various types of value – intrinsic, aesthetic, cultural. Captivated by the interplay of adornment, scale, and non-traditional materials, the found objects I use are typically more commonplace, but circulate through contemporary culture as signifiers for commodities and wealth accumulation.
Humor is an important element in my work and I enjoy getting the viewer to laugh, smile, or play with the work even while addressing more serious subject matter. The manipulation of these found objects, images, or text enhances each piece’s wit and humor. Levity allows viewers to enter my work on one level, but with more time spent additional layers of meaning unfold to facilitate a deeper understanding.
Sterling silver necklace with credit cards
Pencil with an 18KG tip next to a small glass vial of mercury