Application | Current Exhibit | Archives | Map | Permanent Collection | Potential Sites | ArtInPlace Home
Little Plant Dancing by Alacia Stubbs High-fire clay 4' tall |
|
|
Location: Schenks Branch Greenway
Value: $2,000 |
Artist
Statement My art is about my fascination with plants. I work in two mediums-oil painting and clay sculpture. I enjoy both mediums equally, but I express different aspects of my creativity in each medium. My clay sculpture is emotionally direct and expresses a worshipful reaction to plants. To me they are the most visible embodiment of the Life Force. Think of the tiny seed germ in the ground--its tremendous struggle through the heavy dirt toward the sunlight. Isn’t that dark voyage an epic worthy of its own Homer? Think how plants are always jostling each other for sunlight, think of plants’ daily struggle against insects and disease and weather extremes. The daily struggle for life is as savage for plants as for animals. And yet the blossoms and fruits show up--so beautiful and unruffled! The savage energy of the garden is one of the concepts I want my plant sculptures to express. I have never been interested in literal representations of plants. Rather, I seek ways to express the Life Force they embody. Strength and movement are my metaphors for the Life Force. So, when I made “Little Plant Dancing” I exaggerated the solidity and massiveness of its roots, stem, leaves and blossom to convey elemental strength. I used bright raucous color to decorate the sculpture because I think this crude color also expresses strength and energy. By calling my sculpture “Little Plant” I hope to evoke the realization that this seeding has only recently emerged from its dark passage underground and is now rejoicing in the sunlight. And “Dancing”? The Hindus imagine the creator-god, Lord Shiva, playing a drum and dancing to its music. His dance calls all things from the darkness of non-being into life/light and then back into the darkness of non-being. I have always liked this image and I want to suggest by my title that this plant is dancing to Lord Shiva’s drum, accepting all the aspects of its transitory existence. Alacia
Stubbs |
|
|
|
