My Rusty Nail Moment

2024 | Molten clear soda-lime glass, rusty nails

"My Rusty Nail Moment" is a glass art piece that explores the theme of quiet acceptance and moving on, drawing inspiration from a poignant excerpt in Ken Kesey's novel "Sometimes a Great Notion." In this piece, I encapsulate handcrafted rusty nails within clear glass, inviting viewers to delve into the layers of symbolism intertwined with the materials and the narrative they evoke.

At the heart of this artwork lies the significance of the rusty nail scene from Kesey's novel, where the protagonist confronts the punishing and relentless climate of the pacific northwest. He opens a fresh box of nails to find they are already rusted. This is his breaking point, and he quietly leaves behind this way of life which has caused him so much misery. The rusty nail, with its weathered surface and enduring presence, becomes a potent symbol of realization—a quiet acknowledgment that some things will never change, no matter how much we may wish otherwise. Embedded within the glass enclosure, the rusty nails become a metaphor for the moments of quiet acceptance that punctuate our journey—a recognition of the futility of resistance and the wisdom found in embracing the inevitability of certain outcomes. 

Moreover, the phrase "final nail in the coffin" takes on added resonance within this context, symbolizing not just the end of a chapter, but also the culmination of a journey marked by acceptance and understanding. For me, this work reflects my own “rusty nail moment” when I realized that I was hanging on to a relationship I needed to release. In essence, this piece serves as a testament to the beauty found in embracing those “rusty nail” moments, embracing the inevitability of change, and finding solace in moving on.

Drunk Dial

2024 | Slumped beer bottle, digital screen shot transfer, beer bottle caps

In the intricate interplay of modern communication and the numbing effects of alcohol, "Drunk Dial" emerges as a poignant reflection on the fragile threads of human connection and the complexities of emotional vulnerability. Through the medium of mixed-media glass art, this sculpture delves into the paradoxical nature of our attempts to bridge distance and intimacy, juxtaposed against the isolating consequences of miscommunication and rejection.

At first glance, "Drunk Dial" presents itself as a slumped beer bottle, seemingly discarded and forgotten—a relic of indulgence or escapism. Yet, upon closer inspection, its form reveals a striking resemblance to another ubiquitous object in our lives: the smartphone. The bottle's contours mimic the familiar shape and size of a handheld device, subtly merging two potent symbols of modernity: communication technology and intoxication.

Superimposed upon this glass canvas is a haunting tableau—a screenshot from a series of missed calls and texts, capturing the desperate plea for connection. Multiple attempts, spanning hours, tell a story of longing and desperation, underscored by the absence of response. The accompanying message, an apology tinged with resignation, hints at the finality of the interaction—a silent acknowledgment of impending detachment and loss.

Beside the slumped bottle, discarded bottle caps litter the scene, echoing the ephemeral nature of human connections forged in the haze of inebriation. Each cap represents a fleeting moment of courage, as alcohol serves as both catalyst and crutch, emboldening the artist to reach out despite the looming specter of rejection.

"Drunk Dial" transcends its materiality to offer a profound commentary on the ways in which we navigate intimacy and emotional turmoil in the digital age. The glass of the smartphone screen becomes a metaphorical barrier, simultaneously connecting and isolating, while the glass bottle embodies the dual nature of alcohol as a conduit for courage and a catalyst for dissolution.

All The Things I Wish You Would Have Said

2024 | Blown soda-lime glass vessel, parchment paper

This sculpture is rendered in clear glass, adorned with three ellipses—the silent herald of a message in progress, hanging in the balance. This piece embodies the tension of anticipation, the unspoken words lingering in the air, waiting to be released. The form is inspired by the “someone is typing” symbol that appears in most messaging apps. The small bubble with 3 animated dots looms on the screen and you wait to read the message when it is sent.

But what happens when the message is never sent? What happens with the conversations stop?

This sculpture explores that notion. The vessel akin to ancient bottles, invites viewers to immerse themselves in the narrative, projecting their own thoughts and emotions into the open space of the artwork. This empty vessel serves not only as a receptacle for personal reflection but also as a contemporary lachrymatory, echoing the ancient tradition of capturing tears as tangible manifestations of grief. However rather than tears, this modern lachrymatory is filled with all the things I wish my ex husband would have said to me to save our marriage.

Through this work, I aim to explore the profound sense of loss associated with the words left unspoken—the conversations suspended in a perpetual state of liminality. It is a poignant reflection on the longing for connection, the desire to articulate our deepest emotions, and the profound impact of what remains unsaid.

Dissolution

2024 | Blown soda-lime glass vessel, digital text transfer

In this piece I delve into the complex interplay between form and content, exploring themes of confinement, emptiness, and the dissolution of relationships. Crafted from hand-blown glass, the vessel stands as a symbol of containment, yet paradoxically devoid of any functionality. Its sealed form renders it inaccessible, emphasizing a sense of emptiness and impossibility, akin to a discarded mistake left to linger.

The crumpled appearance of the glass, reminiscent of discarded paper or refuse, serves as a visual metaphor for the aftermath of broken relationships. Within this vessel of confinement, layers of text emerge, interwoven with the glass like tangled thoughts and emotions. However, upon closer inspection, these seemingly chaotic layers reveal themselves to be fragments of legal documents, specifically separation and divorce papers.

The juxtaposition of the fragile, transparent glass with the weighty, bureaucratic language of legal documents underscores the vulnerability and impermanence of human connections. The layers of text, once symbols of commitment and union, now appear as detritus, discarded and relegated to the realm of waste.

Through this sculpture, I invite viewers to contemplate the complexities of human relationships, the fragility of communication, and the inevitable disintegration that accompanies separation. As the layers of text and glass converge, they evoke a sense of entrapment within the confines of broken promises and lost hopes, compelling us to confront the haunting emptiness left in their wake.