Interpretations

macklotii
M/m
24" x 24" x 5"


Recently, I came across an article about all the naturalists that had lost their lives in pursuit of documenting new species of flora and fauna from around the world. There was an illustration of a fruit bat that had been collected by one of these unfortunate scientists. It had been collected and sent back to a natural history museum in the Netherlands in the mid 1800's.

What struck me as interesting was how the preserved bat looked more like a bear, even a friendly teddy bear. Obviously, whoever 'stuffed' this bat had never seen a real one. Their interpretation of what they thought this creature should look like is so different than what it looks like in real life.

The bat 'wings' were cut out of an old work apron that I had saved. I seem to save just about everything I use in my studio, and this creature begged to have himself cloaked in a piece of fabric that had some history to it.

January Work

Dryomis & Perigyps
wood/metal/inner tubes/found material
39" x 30" x 30"

These two birds that are wrapped in bike inner tubes were originally made about four years ago. They have been sitting in my studio, collecting dust. I decided to transform them, one more time. Wrapping the wooden structure seems like a natural progression, at least to me.

The base is made from mountain bike tires and inner tubes with a little metal added. (This particular style I refer to as "nuvo-Mennonite." I think of Mennonites as Shakers that got wild, and maybe smoked a little pot.)