Reformed Sculpture

My work examines religious and philosophical theories about life and existence. I explore questions such as: what is the reason for our existence, what does it mean to say that we are created in the image of God, and what is the nature of our relationship with God? Whether one believes in a deity or the absence of one, most people have, at one time or another asked the question, what is the meaning of life? This question is fundamental to human existence and I intend to return to it in my work. Process has become a very important part of my work. I have noticed the same emphasis on process in some forms of religious art. This is particularly the case with iconography in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Every element in the creation of icons has meaning. Most artists start by painting with the darkest colors and then build on top of that with lighter and lighter paint. This is meant to symbolize Christ pulling us out of darkness when one becomes a Christian. Embedding meaning in the stages of process is intriguing to me and is present within much of my work. The Orthodox view of iconography has been a source of inspiration for my art and it has given me a view on process that others might not have experienced. Icons have also influenced my choice of materials, which can be just as important as process. Sculpture is my preferred medium and it is the basis for much of my work. I incorporate other mediums as well, including charcoal. In my most recent pieces, I have chosen to work with clay, wax, bronze, iron, and even lighting. I like to add a visceral element to my work, and I frequently draw on my religious and philosophical views in the process. While my work isn’t exclusively Christian in nature, a viewer with an understanding of theology and philosophy is more likely to uncover the subtleties present in some of my pieces. I believe artists have a unique opportunity to touch the souls of men, and can do so in ways that words cannot express. When an artist is vulnerable and shares something of who he is in the process, the deepest things of life can be experienced.