Storm is a body of mixed media work that uses themes of nature to examine humans’ resilience to adversity and change. Nature exists in a constant state of renewal, rebirth and death. One reality replaced by another. Nature’s power is the life force that determines survival of all living things. Human living mirrors nature through the power of self reinvention and in excepting the absence of control.
In paintings titled Orb One, Orb Two, and Orb Three, the tree’s growth rings symbolize age, time and history. The saw blade marks suggest human presence and interference. Sexuality in the form of fertility is implied through subtle images within the details of each of these paintings.
In the works titled Pursuit One through Pursuit Four, the placement of sperm-like pressed flowers heading towards the center rings of a tree, echo fertility and symbolize the pathways of creation.
The vertical tree slices in sculptures Spin and Body, are phallic in shape. Combined and layered with video images and sound, they embody the sacred and profane dichotomy present in the natural world.
In sculpture installation titled Salvage, long plastic tubes stuffed full of shredded, unwanted art catalogues, suspend from the ceiling to represent a stand of trees. The recycled catalogues, repurposed into an installation sculpture, metaphor of the cycle of life, uninterrupted, everlasting and perpetual.
The aftermath of destruction from a windstorm that devastated portions of Stanley Park’s forests was the catalyst for this work. The image of countless mature trees laying one on top of another, ripped from the ground by the violent power of the wind, was a humbling sight. The apocalyptic scene left no confusion about who or what had control.