Bird

Handmade ceramic beads, black stain, wire rope, crimps, brass washers

When I began creating Bird, I envisioned a small berry delicately held in a bird’s beak.
The small berry, poised, becomes a symbol of life and potential, evoking themes of
sustenance, fragility, and continuity.

In my ceramic practice, this concept represents more than just a visual element; it
reflects a deep reverence for nature’s intricate relationships. The bird and its
interaction with the berry can be seen as a metaphor for care and intention, where
every action has the potential to nurture something larger than itself. This imagery
invites the viewer to consider the delicate balance of ecosystems and the beauty of
these fleeting moments in the natural world.

When creating Bird, I explored how to capture this interaction in form, texture, and
pattern. The beak holding the seed symbolizes a balance between strength and
tenderness, while the berry represents the genesis of life and the perpetuation of
growth. Together, they narrate a story of connection and the profound beauty found
in the simplest acts of nature.

I often feel overwhelmed by the times we’re living in, grappling with the immense
pain of witnessing both humanity and the natural environment under threat. How
have we arrived at a moment where the world seems to be imploding, where
destruction feels relentless? And what do we do with this pain?
Honestly, I don’t know. But I find myself searching for beauty, hunting for it. A
hummingbird playing in the rain, or any bird, captivates me with its astonishing
beauty and ability to sing. Beauty serves as a touchstone for me—a way forward, a way
to enrich every aspect of my life.