Sophomore Works, Cleveland Institute of Art

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"Tools For Eating Yourself [Fork, Knife, Spoon]"

A contemplation of visceral human hunger. We elegantly consume ourselves as we consume to world around us, until we are emptied of life. I imagine these tools as embodiments of our consumption: a beautiful and eerie force inherent in human nature.

Materials: Ceramic, Steel, Nickel Sliver.

"Tools For Eating Yourself [Fork, Knife, Spoon]" Close-up

"Struggled Success"

Struggle is inevitable; it is part of the human condition. Even the greats of history struggled, and usually even more: Great intelligence and success carry enhanced problems. I use the context of historical coins, and depict greats; but I depict their downfalls on the "flip sides". Alexander the Great was hopelessly alcoholic, Nikola Tesla had delusions, O.C.D. and Asbergers, and Jerry Garcia consumed himself with addiction to heroin and other drugs.

Materials: Cast Bronze, Maple

"Exit Wound"

The memory of a destructive force remains. Things destroyed naturally stay in a destroyed state; they do not repair themselves. The ordered grid of this piece stands dramatically wounded, and it's reaction to a directional impact will not disappear.

Materials: Ceramic fired over nichrome wire

"Breaking Grip"

A moment of breaking order is captured. The grid is fractured, and the geode is exploding from it's grip. A beautiful chaos is the result: sporadic disorder can be appreciated for what it is. Things need not be ordered and precise to be beautiful.

Materials: Copper, Geode

"Salvaged"

A structure is fabricated then destroyed (dissolved in acid). Splintered fragments remain; they are salvaged and given new purpose. The result is an obscure recycling of the original structure combined with new materials. There is no trace of the origin, only a sickly, makeshift object.

Materials: Copper, Silver, Foam