The Wrong Side of the Tracks.
Segregation Bowl features a piece of Maple with a bark inclusion running through the center. It appears to have some value to explore. Once the shape was complete it became clear to me that it had potential and I saw a story in it about “The Wrong Side of the Tracks.” Note that one side has circles and the opposite contains squares. For me, it represents the ethnic divisions that people face every day. The size is 10 inch diameter by 2 Inches tall.
Segregation Bowl came about during a time I was thinking about conflict. There always seems to be senseless incidences of hate and killing based on race, religion and gender preference. This bowl has a bark inclusion representing a dividing line between opposing groups. The groups engage in battle because of their shapes and territories.
After the bowl is turned on a wood lathe I use pyrography to tell the story of opposing tribes. Pyrography tools look like soldering irons with red hot wire tips. Perhaps you had an unsatisfactory experience with novice pyrography tools is the Scouts trying to draw on wood.
Story Telling
I think it is important to tell a story with an art piece. It takes a decorative item to a new level and challenges the viewer to consider something they are not thinking about. It is not often that I can achieve this in a piece, but when I do there is a lot of emotion and energy. Shortly after the shooting of children in Sandy Hook I became a volunteer for a cause at the town cultural center. It is impossible to express the emotions that ran through my head during those few visits. After a visit my brain was screaming for me to do something with my art to help process the event. This is the piece, Assessment Test Pencils and Bullets
Studio
I design and produce all of my art in my Montvale, New Jersey, USA studio. If you are looking for something special take a look in my Etsy Shop.