SCULPTURE OF THE WEEK

This week I'll be sharing the story of my piece, "Great With Child", that was recently added to the art collection of Joseph Shabalala, singer of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The back story begins 24 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter. I was at a standing room only concert at the Ritz in New York City, and the room became too crowded for the safety of my unborn child. I went upstairs to the "Press Only" area and was greeted by Joseph Shabalala, founder of Ladysmith, with the words "You are great with child. Come, sit with us". Several years later, when my daughter, Hana-li, was a young child, we went to see Ladysmith Black Mambazo play again. I wanted to introduce Joseph and his group to her, the child that I had been so "great with" at their previous concert. But as much as I tried to get us backstage, security wouldn't even let us get a message to him. I finally yelled his name, with as much intention as I could muster, into the far reaches of the backstage area. A few moments later, he appeared at the entrance. I asked him if he remembered when I was "great with child" at the Ritz. He nodded and said that he did. I then gestured at Hana-li and said, "Here, this is the child." Joseph brought us backstage, and soon the whole group had surrounded her, smiling and taking in the child that had listened to their concert while still in the womb. This sculpture is dedicated to Joseph Shabalala, lead singer for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, in the memory of his kindness. It is now on it's way to his home in South Africa.

SCULPTURE OF THE WEEK

 This week I wanted to talk a bit about my piece, The Kiss. It is cast in bronze and then patinaed with rich colors. It comes on a black marble lazy-susan base. Two lovers melt in this ethnic inspired piece. It was inspired by love, life, passion and movement, and all timeless pleasures.

African Queen

Sculpture of the week 11.16.11

This week I wanted to post something about my piece, "African Queen". I traveled with my daughter to Africa for three months. One country we visited was Mali,one of the poorest countries in the world. I met a man who lived in a one-bedroom house with his family of 35 people. Most people cook, eat, work, socialize and sleep on the street. Every day I would sketch and make notes. This sculpture is from a sketch of a woman who, although she was extremely poor, carried herself like a queen.

SCULPTURE OF THE WEEK 10/24/11

I wanted to share a bit about my sculpture "The Logic Master" with all of you. It is cast in bronze atop  a rough-cut onyx base. The inspiration came when I was traveling in Mexico and studied the history of the Mayan people. This colorful, ancient and sometimes brutal culture used the locations of their naturally occurring deep wells or “cenotes”, to judge and punish their “politically incorrect” victims by throwing them to their death. This fellow is the 'decision maker'.  He is patinaed with a deep red wax burnish to bring out the high emotion of the moment.