Transformation
Looking at the injustice, war, and escalating ecological problems in our world, it is possible to conclude that our civilization is headed for disaster. Ugliness is all around us. I see trash as an emblem of this ugliness. I use it to make art because I want to explore the powerful symbolism of transforming the trash into something beautiful.
I want to understand the possibility of beauty within everything. This series is about the alchemy of transformation. The very things which are hideous and sinister can be cultivated and purified into wholeness. If the splendor of nature can be born from a pile of garbage, if we can compost rotting fruits and plant new seeds, then humanity can use the very detritus of its blundering to rebuild a society which provides the conditions in which the creative nature of each human being can thrive in safety, peace and joy.
The pieces in this series are made using litter collected from streets and waste generated at my home. Glass is crushed, paper is pulped, brick is ground down and wrappers are cut up and combined with natural glues, beeswax and a bit of oil paint to finish the work. The imagery is inspired by the Persian art and carpets I grew up with, east Asian art and the textures and processes of nature.
Looking at the injustice, war, and escalating ecological problems in our world, it is possible to conclude that our civilization is headed for disaster. Ugliness is all around us. I see trash as an emblem of this ugliness. I use it to make art because I want to explore the powerful symbolism of transforming the trash into something beautiful.
I want to understand the possibility of beauty within everything. This series is about the alchemy of transformation. The very things which are hideous and sinister can be cultivated and purified into wholeness. If the splendor of nature can be born from a pile of garbage, if we can compost rotting fruits and plant new seeds, then humanity can use the very detritus of its blundering to rebuild a society which provides the conditions in which the creative nature of each human being can thrive in safety, peace and joy.
The pieces in this series are made using litter collected from streets and waste generated at my home. Glass is crushed, paper is pulped, brick is ground down and wrappers are cut up and combined with natural glues, beeswax and a bit of oil paint to finish the work. The imagery is inspired by the Persian art and carpets I grew up with, east Asian art and the textures and processes of nature.
The Beautiful Bird
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
24 x 24 in
Magical Bird
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
18 x 18 in
Joy Tree
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
12 x 9 in
Evening Rain
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
18 x 18 in
Joy
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
14 x 16 in
Up From the Ashes
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
21.5 x 20 in
Happy Meadow
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
12 x 24 in
Evening Trees
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
9 x 12 in
Thriving
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
14 x 16 in
Magic At Night
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
24 x 24 in
Five Glowing
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
12 x 12 in
Arising
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
12 x 12 in
Loving The Rain
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
12 x 12 in
Feeling Oneness
2009
litter and mixed media on panel
12 x 12