I often say things or make things intuitively and afterward spend a considerable amount of time unpacking their meaning and significance. I don’t believe one has to have complete understanding or control over their ideas and processes to produce something significant. Often our intuition and gut response is spot on, and our minds need time to catch up. It’s been over a year since I made the work shown here. The series of sculptures was entitled living stones. There is a Biblical text that was the inspiration for the work that talks about people being formed into a holy temple like living stones. Echoing the text, I mentioned in the artist statement that this invitation comes with a requirement for one to bridle their own self-interest and be joined with others. A willingness to become part of the common effort and perhaps never be seen or celebrated. Living stones are intended to join together to accommodate one another in order to achieve a greater end.
What always bothered me was the sculptures I made don’t fit together — it was never a thought or intention. They are all singular objects, albeit similar in substance and technique, but each with a unique internal and external expression. When exhibited in the same space they are often placed on their own podium and never touch each other — as if they are competing for attention. Ironically, the work does not demonstrate the hopeful promise presented in the text. It does, however, communicate all too accurately the current state of society. It is as if we have lost the desire or ability to selflessly sacrifice for others — to serve, work together, without recognition, for the common good. We don’t fashion our lives to accommodate the needs of those around us, to join in a common effort. Rather, we focus on ourselves, demand recognition, insist that other accommodate our needs and, like a room full of children, we all scream for one another’s attention.