Liar, Liar

 

"Liar, Liar" ●
The book used in this assemblage is a vintage copy (1926) of Charles Darwin's "Origin of the Species".  Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has become the foundation of modern evolutionary studies.

First published in 1859, "The Origin of Species" provoked outrage from many as it implicitly contradicted the belief in divine creation. Darwin's critics were, and still are, numerous, vocal and very doubtful that observed biological complexity, especially in humans, could have developed simply.  Many of his critics still believe Darwin to be amoral and to have made up all his collected data.

Although Darwin’s theory has been modified over time, it remains fundamental to the study of life sciences. And the controversy still exists today among the Christian mainstream.

Although not readily accepted by the scientific community of his time, since it's publication, Darwin's concept of evolutionary adaptation through natural selection has become central to modern evolutionary theory, with the development of the modern evolutionary synthesis in the 1930s and 1940s. Today it is the unifying concept of the life sciences.

With this piece, my purpose is not to support or reject either argument surrounding the theories of  'divine creation' or 'evolution by natural selection', but rather it is to raise the questions again, about how the human race, as we know it, has come to be.

What do you think?

Mannequin head covered in papers, text, sewing patterns and embellished with clock gears.  A vintage "The Origin of the Species" sits on a wooden stand supported by brass drawer pulls.


July 6, 2013 UPDATE
I moved into a new studio last month, an artist community contained in a wonderful WWII building, originally used as army barracks for troops.  There are about 30 artists who have their studios here, and yesterday we held our 'First Saturday Open Studios' event.

This was the first experience holding an open studio.

Pictured below, is Morgan Ray, she stopped by my studio, and I was thrilled when she decided to take "Liar, Liar" home with her.   Thank you Morgan!

Everything But . . . (again)

"Everything But . . . . again"
I originally posted about this piece a few months ago. But it wasn't quite right . . . while it hung in the gallery, I would notice that customers 'liked' it, and commented positively about it, but 'something' was not right. . . you can see the original post here.

So I brought it back to the studio and 're-worked it a bit.  I incorporated all the bits and bling it originally held, except I removed the metal grate over the mirror - it was too much.
I think the improvement is good.  What do you think?

Germs and Jesus

"Germs and Jesus" ●

Wash your hands and say your prayers, because germs and Jesus are everywhere"

I had to do it . . .  I read this sweet quote somewhere, and it made me laugh.  It seemed appropriate to memorialize it within a child's pull toy, using well-used children's wooden blocks.

A tiny green frog, with a bobble-head sits on top, adds to the humor.

The pull toy, a flea market find, was first collaged with purple tissue, then layered on top with gift wrap tissue with images of flying insects.  A red shoe lace replaces the missing pull string.

Mirror Of Myth

"These are little scraps of magic and when you paste them together 

you get a memory of something fine and strong she said.  

Sometimes it takes til you are 40 to see it though." Story People, Brian Andreas

"Mirror of Myth" ●
There are many superstitions and beliefs surrounding mirrors. We all know what happens if you break a mirror, right?  But there are other beliefs about the mystical powers that mirrors possess. The 2 most common are:
     1. Mirrors bring luck, usually bad
     2. They help tell the future
To these two, I would like to add a third belief:
     3.  They help tell the past . . .
This new piece titled 'Mirror of Myth' is filled with stories to be told, of times past, of small things, and charming moments, of laughter and life.  As in life, there is a lot to see. Do take a closer look. 

 ***

A 4" wide wooden picture frame became the base for this wall-hung mirror assemblage. The frame is first covered, front and back, in vintage encyclopedia pages and sealed with varnish. Attached to the wooden frame are various found objects of any person's life, from keys, to crosses to cowboys. There are buttons, bells and "bling".  Glass beaded fringe from a vintage piano scarf runs along the bottom.

Click on the image to take a closer look.