Showing at Zeitgeist from April 3rd-30th
Artist Statement
Extend is my look at a longer life. At the age of 35, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although treatment and recovery are brutal, they have extended my life. I have spread, layered, and molded my experiences using natural specimens as the main medium, supplemented with cold porcelain flowers in the sculptural designs displayed in shadow boxes. By using the remains of creatures that walk, crawl, flutter, and fly within the atmosphere of earth, I am able to share the magic of life. Extend highlights the precious gift of waking up each morning alongside the challenge of living one day at a time. All while holding -ever so softly- the grand responsibility we have to each other and nature.
Specimens
Insects are sourced from farms rooted in local conservation efforts that support economies around the world. Farmers are incentivized to preserve native flora to raise insects away from their natural predators. While some are released back into the wild, others are sold as dead specimens.
We all can agree that native, living species are superior to dead animals. And yet death is also life.
Hold my hand - Siproeta stelenes Cold porcelain, air-dry polymer clay, oil paint, wire, stainless steel pins, glue, thread - 20" x 20"
Enough loose ends to make fringe - Lamproptera meges Neurobasis chinensis graphium policenes Cold porcelain, air-dry polymer clay, oil paint, wire, stainless steel pins, glue, thread - 20" x 20"
In the well of heartbreak, on heartbreak - Callicore cynosura Morpho catenarius Parthenos sylvia lilacinus Stainless steel pins, glue - 20" x 20"
Full cup - Graphium milon Morpho peleides Papilio nephelus Stainless steel pins, glue - 20" x 20"
Springs eternal - Eterusia replete Morpho didius Neurobasis kaupi Urania ripheus Stainless steel pins, glue - 20" x 20"
Whether together or apart - Ambragaeana ambra Caligo eurilochus Prepona dexamenes Stainless steel pins, glue - 20" x 20"
Grounded in uncertainty - Ideopsis vitrea Lycorea ilione Phyllium pulchrifolium Trengganua sybylla Stainless steel pins, glue - 20" x 20"
Breakthrough - Anteos clorinde Anteos menippe Ascia buniae Colotis ione Pieris calypso Phoebis argante argante Phoebis philea Phoebis trite Xylocopa aestuans Stainless steel pins, glue - 20" x 20"
Limbo, with friends - Catonephele acontius Sagra laticollis Tosena paviei Stainless steel pins, glue - 7.5" x 7.5"
Glimmers - Euphaea variegata Pyrops gunjii Xylocopa latipes Stainless steel pins, glue - 7.5" x 7.5"
Watch the clouds pass - Ascia buniae Morpho peleides Urania leilus Xylocopa caerulea Stainless steel pins, glue - 12.5" x 12.5"
Pivot - Eurytides dolicaon deileon Xylocopa aestuans Stainless steel pins, glue - 7.5" x 7.5"
Gather Round - Graphium eurypylus Neurobasis chinensis Stainless steel pins, glue - 7.5" x 7.5"
One moment at a time - Graphium antiphates Sagra femoralis Sagra laticollis Cold porcelain, air-dry polymer clay, oil paint, wire, stainless steel pins, glue, thread - 12.5" x 12.5"
Still blooms, after dark - Marmessoidea rosea, Papilio gambrisius Pyrops sultanus Stainless steel pins, glue - 12.5" x 12.5"
Transformation - Danaus Plexippus Stainless steel pins, glue - 12.5" x 12.5"
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Email eputnamstudio@gmail.com with shipping inquires.