The mass of solitude

Abstract

Weathering, metamorphosis, heat, and tectonics are forces that form and transform the earth. Over millennia, these methods of abrasion construct captivating structures out of ubiquitous materials. I reference rock landscapes by using the same minerals to create new metamorphic rocks. By stripping clay down to its basic nature, I exploit the rawness of the material. These craggy surfaces hold a presence of solemnity. The undulations and irregularities of these objects are what give them fortitude, encouraging contemplation in the viewer; a time to recognize the earnestness of life in comparison to the gravity of death. I have found myself in this capacity when hiking through desert landscapes. The massiveness of the rock formations combined with the expansiveness of the horizon, humbles me to a contemplative state. In these times of solitude, I have been able to resolve who I am and what is important to me. I replicate these experiences, evoking solemnity in the viewer interacting with my work.