The prompt was to submit work "that explores novel and infinite ideas and methods of connection." My sculptural maquettes, Monuments to Everyman (Neon #1, #2, and #3) were selected.
From my application:
As the conversation about monuments evolves, I peel back the onion searching for an Ur-monument that represents more of humanity, is inclusive and universal. The neon yellow figure is a stand in for all races. He is an emoji Everyman used to populate architectural models, and with facial features partially obscured by the plaster, could truly be Anyman.
Water bottles are relatable and infinite, replacing rare marble and bronze columns. Scraps of wood serve as accessible pedestals. As with my previous Monuments, the plaster represents both Art and bodily fluids, winking at the inherently phallic nature of the project and of historic monuments in general—and adding an autobiographical connection for me as a queer artist in the 21st Century.
Coincidently, a new vision for the museum store launched concurrent with the 2023 Annual. While I have sold to the store for numerous years, the increased focus on local makers resulted in an expanded display of my work, encompassing both jewelry and sculpture, as seen in the following images~
