Glass, steel, wood, LEDs, plexi 43" x41" x 9.5" 2019
Glass, steel, wood, LEDs, plexi 43" x41" x 9.5" 2019
Little Oil
Cast Glass
sizes vary from 4" x 1 ½" (dia.), 8 x 4½" (dia.)
2013-2020
The series, Little Oil, consists of glass castings of vintage oil cans, displayed singly, in small groupings, or in vitrines and set on lightboxes. So far I have created about 90, no two alike. The phrase Little Oil obviously alludes to Big Oil, and an alternate title, Small Oils, invokes oil painting. But “oil” can mean many things and set atop lightboxes, where each work glows from within, these pieces can seem more like vessels of light itself. Oil has been a source of light (sometimes from deplorable sources) since ancient times as well as a source of eternal light in many faith traditions. Plant-based “essential oils” have been used for myriad purposes -- all in distinct contrast to the massive depredations of Big Oil. In addition to these associations, as I have been making these pieces, they have sometimes seemed to transcend their relation to oil altogether, appearing anthropomorphic or creaturely, or even biological. Lately, I have been thinking of them as archeological artifacts, relics of a past civilization.
8 Shots, Little Oil & Phonotaxis 3
GUNS, GOLD, & OIL
“Under the Same Sun; Democratic Spaces,” Main Gallery, Index Art Center, Newark, NJ, 2017
Featuring cast glass oil can sculptures, drawings, and bullet resistant glass pieces
The work is loosely related to the theme, “Guns, Gold, and Oil,” materials often associated with the colonial domination of peoples and nature, here used in the service of art. In other pieces, imaginary landscapes, AI, and poetic texts evoke attempts at a more collaborative relationship with nature. The poetic texts, like the bullet pieces, allude as well to the darkness haunting our own “democratic spaces.” Glass, light, and the play of shadow unite all these elements to create a space of reflection, literal and figurative, in which such contradictions can be contemplated. More details can be found in my artist statement.
24" x 23" x 1/2"
3 Shots (Installed at Rosemont Jazz Club)
SHOTS
Bullet Resistant Glass
20 gauge slug, 22 longs
2016-2017
PHONOTAXIS 1, 2 & 3
An attempt to create a conversation between a robot and a cricket
Glass, RGB LEDs, Steel
17 ¼" x 14" x 1 ¾"
2016-2017
(Poem by Lynda Hull) Going to find Charlie Parker’s grave. Glass, Steel, RGB LEDS 22.25" x 19.25" x 1.5" 2017
(poem by Rosanna Warren) The story of the making of Central Park. Glass, Steel, RGB LEDS 22.25" x 19.25" x 1.5" 2017
Glass, Steel, RGB LEDs 22" x 13.5" x 1.5" 2015
(Poem by Lynda Hull) Going to find Charlie Parker’s grave. Glass, Steel, RGB LEDS 22.25" x 19.25" x 1.5" 2017
POEMS
Glass, Steel, RGB LEDs
sizes variable
2015 – 2017
MIRROR TOTEM
Glass, LEDs, steel, wood
10' x 30" x 4"
2015
(Permanent installation at Interface,
40 West 30th Street, Manhattan)
LARGE MYTH SERIES
Glass, RGB LED, aluminum
13 ¾" x 10 ½" x ½"
2013-2017
“To My Quick Ear”
1 & 2
Glass, Steel, LEDs
17.25" x 14" x 1.75"
2015-2016