RAIN SPIRIT (FRONT)

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on April 29, 2023 at 1:32pm

 

 

Curator’s Comments:

I was happy to see your new piece, Rain Spirit, shared to the site.  Thank you for inviting me to comment!  I can see vestiges of the Hopi inspired motifs that were first visible (to me) in your new piece Moki Sakwa added a couple months ago. At first viewing I feel that Rain Spirit may exhibit a more nuanced integration of Native patterning and materials.  This mixed media sculpture has a decidedly contemporary feel, with circular spinning elements simultaneously recalling mechanical conduits and Hopi kiva symbols or sipapu portals.  The piece appears to be frontally facing in a figurative way, perhaps reinforced by the two legs and top pieces that from a bilateral symmetry. I also like the color.  It’s interesting that I’ve grown accustomed to seeing primary hues in your work, but the lower chroma yellow and blue tints here offer a softer, more organic quality.  The granite bases also seem less important or integral to these new works, perhaps because of the enhanced degree of decorative elements moving off of the smoother metal and stone surfaces.  In your comment accompanying your last piece you indicated your new work was exploring techniques used many years ago.  I’m curious at how they may have evolved conceptually as well as formally.  Thank you for sharing these.