Cabinet of Curiosity

 

16" H x 14" W x 8" D (not including piece on top)

Artist Statement:

The world of high-end art dealing certainly seems like an interesting one. More money than I could ever imagine, and some of the greatest works of art ever created. That's what these pieces were inspired by. The first piece is inspired by William Randolph Hearst, a wealthy art collector who ended up over 1.5 billion dollars in debt due to his insatiable appetite for collecting. Based around the idea of throwing away money, the piece is meant to represent a dumpster fire of lost money. The other piece is more centered around the business side of art dealing and collecting. It is meant to resemble a top hat, a suit, and a briefcase all in one.

Memento

 3.5" Length

2" Width

1" Height

Artist Statement

From the very start I've had what could be considered a surplus of grandparents. Both sides of my family divorced and remarried before I was born. I grew up with eight grandparents, twice as many as most people. Out of all eight, the one grandparent that was my favorite was my father's father. We called him Grandpa Vaughn.  As well as being a Vietnam War veteran, he was also one of the kindest, gentlest, and most loving souls I've ever met. He died from COVID complications two years ago on Thanksgiving. Because of the pandemic we had to wait until this past April to have a funeral for him. What's more is that I was supposed to be at the funeral, but my flight was canceled and I wasn't able to make it. I had to watch the funeral via Zoom, and wanted more than anything to be there to comfort my dad and the rest of my family. This piece is in his honor. The wood structure is obviously meant to represent a coffin. Within the coffin is a bullet casing used in the 21-gun salute at his funeral. The piece of fabric covering the top is meant to resemble the color palette of nursing homes. It is also inspired by the way the American flag covers a soldiers casket. 

Figurative Busts

 9" Height

16" Width

8.25" Length

5" Height

9" Width

9" Length

Artists Statement: 

Skateboarding is something that I have been around almost my entire life. It's been one of my biggest passions since I was probably around five years old. In summer of 2021 skateboarding saw its debut as an Olympic sport. Several countries put together teams of their best skaters and went to compete on the specially constructed course in Tokyo. On the contrary, skateboarders are still seen as hooligans by many people; and skateboarding is still illegal in many instances. The first piece was inspired by the contrast between skateboarders being discriminated against but also being present in the highest level of sporting. Skateboarding can be a legitamate career, but most people still refuse to believe that

My second piece is related to the topics of depression, self reflection, and masking your true feelings. The sculpture has two faces, one happy and one sad. The base is meant to represent a mirror, which is where the concept of self reflection comes in. 

Research:

https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/skateboarders/nyjah-houston-net-worth/ 

• Nyjah Huston is one of the best skateboarders in the world, with a net worth of over 12 million dollars

https://www.hopefordepression.org/depression-facts/?utm_source=google_cpc&utm_medium=ad_grant&utm_campaign=depression_facts&gclid=CjwKCAiA-dCcBhBQEiwAeWidtc6i3mkqarBKQaDB9zQrc39JFY4YqnzOBIAc4AxQzclHtxRdrn-9XxoCvtwQAvD_BwE

• Depression effects over 18,000,000 adults in the US.
  
  
  
• Someone dies from suicide about every 12 minutes

Experimental Sculptures

 I do not have the measurements for these

Water Fountain

 

To Have and to Hold Presentation

 The Elevator to the Heavens

Joseph Duveen 

• Art dealer and collector

• “The grandest of art dealers and advisor to some of the most acquisitive collectors the world had seen” 

• Would sell art for more by saying it was “not for sale” first

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Duveen,_1st_Baron_Duveen 4

William Randolph Hearst

• One of the greatest art collectors in the world

• Client of Duveen

• Had an insatiable appetite for art

• Had an income of 160 million

• Ended up 1.6 billion in debt

• The elevator to the heavens is the elevator going up to his three-story apartment in NYC, which was filled with art.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Randolph_Hearst

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Castle

Elements and Principles

 

Symmetrical balance

Wendy Walgate

Symmetrical balance

Personal photo