Private Prayers
Tokens: 2012; Urn/Sculpture: 2014
Luster fired stoneware with fused glass and LED lighting
15-1/4"h x 6-1/2" w x 6-1/2" d
Luster fired stoneware with fused glass and metal additions with interior led lighting with color mixing capacity.
Private Prayers is the first sculpture of the series. It took two years to complete. I started the series during a residency at Peters Valley Craft Center which was within daily commuting distance. I had to be available for my grandmother who was almost 105. My entire adult life to that point revolved around being available and ministering to elderly family members, my studio and artistic pursuits taking a back seat. This residency was my first attempt since getting my masters to put my art first.
On the first day, the first token I made said "God Speed Grandma" on the front and "let Daddy come and get you" on the back. At that point visiting her every weekend was a heartache, like watching a candle burn down to the wick. She had long ago stopped speaking or recognizing me. I kept telling her it was ok to go if she wanted to, telling her to please set me free from this obligation, telling her the food was better in heaven.
She died that afternoon.
Private Prayers is the first sculpture of the series. It took two years to complete. I started the series during a residency at Peters Valley Craft Center which was within daily commuting distance. I had to be available for my grandmother who was almost 105. My entire adult life to that point revolved around being available and ministering to elderly family members, my studio and artistic pursuits taking a back seat. This residency was my first attempt since getting my masters to put my art first.
On the first day, the first token I made said "God Speed Grandma" on the front and "let Daddy come and get you" on the back. At that point visiting her every weekend was a heartache, like watching a candle burn down to the wick. She had long ago stopped speaking or recognizing me. I kept telling her it was ok to go if she wanted to, telling her to please set me free from this obligation, telling her the food was better in heaven.
She died that afternoon.