Josephine Baker Print

Wire artist

In this work, I attempt to capture energy and movement, beauty and grace, passion, humor in two and mostly three dimensional twistings of metal wire. I look for images when I read periodicals and books, and I choose subjects that challenge my ability to represent them. The challenge is to portray a three dimensional object with a few lines. The image is a structure, and I must balance representation and strength. My sculptures may be anchored in stone, or framed or supported in wood, and I have taken to using beads, feathers, and wire mesh to complete them. I often make pieces of a single wire strand, which requires that I know where I am going and how to get there. Simplicity is a goal which may embrace profusion. Alexander Calder, inventor of the mobile and creator of a moving and playful wire circus, is an inspiration of my work. Wire is a fabulous medium, mostly easy to come by, cheap, portable, flexible and forgiving, yet strong and stable. And, when I travel by plane, I can take wire and the pliers that are my tools, if they are shorter than 7 inches.