Genesis

Genesis

11 x 8 x 5 inches
raku clay & raku fired
2024

In this ongoing series of bust sculptures, I aim to sculpt faces of ancient women. I do not use any models or specific references as I sculpt. Instead, I think and wonder and imagine – who is this ancient woman who wants to emerge from the clay? And when she has emerged, I wonder, who is she and what wisdom does she carry that even the folk of today need to be reminded of and relearn?

This bust was sculpted from raku clay and fired in the raku method – an exciting method of removing the ceramic from the kiln while still hot at 1850 degrees Fahrenheit. The markings are created by laying horse hair against the super heated ceramic. As the hair burns away, the black outlines are scorched into the surface.