Another of the “Hooded Figures”, TEMPLAR is one of the most detailed and representational ones so far, specifically referencing the Knights Templar of the 11th to 14th centuries, and equipped with helmet, chain mail, spear, sword and shield. Hand built and raku fired paper clay on a hand cut MDF base, TEMPLAR is 7 ½” x 5” x 4”
When I decided to change the base on COLLABORATING WITH POLISTES (the new “Polistes” piece is REVISITING POLISTES) I also decided that the old base was much better as a stand-alone sculptural piece. With its coloration, sinuous lines and small opening, the mental image I had was of deep space, the space-time continuum, “worm holes” and travel to distant stars, hence the title: PASSAGE TO RIGEL. Hand built and raku fired paper clay. 12; x 9” x 7”
The pose and facial expression of this piece reminds me of a description of one of the Old Testament prophets: stern, righteous and unyielding, hence the title – JEREMIAH. Part of the more representational subset of the “Hooded Figures” Series, JEREMIAH is hand built and raku fired paper clay on a hand cut MDF base. 7”x 5”x 5”.
FAMILY TREE is made from torch-cut sheet steel set on an artist made cherry wood base. With its material, hard edges, and asymmetrical form FAMILY TREE is intended as a perhaps more realistic depiction of a “family tree” than is usually presented and references that my family surname is derived from the German “pfannenschmidt” meaning “a metal worker”. 9 ½” x 12” x 5”
I don’t regard JUDGEMENT as one of my more subtle, abstract, or obscure pieces. The message is pretty straight forward with the only questions being: who or what is standing in judgement and what will be the result? I expect the answers to vary from person to person. Hand built and raku fired paper clay with a found object and bamboo resting on an MDF base.
THE ROOTS OF DANCE started out with me finding some driftwood on a lakeshore which when combined together (with minor trimming) reminded me of a pair of dancers from a recently seen contemporary dance performance. I hope and believe that my ROOTS OF DANCE comes close to capturing the grace, power and enthusiasm of the original dancers. Found objects on an artist-made wooden base. 12” x 9” x 6 ½”
REACHING FOR HOPE is part of the “Expressive Hands” Series. Hand built from my own hand- made paper clay and raku fired using three different raku glazes, REACHING FOR HOPE poses a question for the viewer: is the lower hand helping or hindering, raising or pulling down? I must admit that my answer changes from time to time depending on my mood and recent experiences- straddling the thin line between optimism and pessimism. 9 ½” x 4” x 4”
NIGHT WATCH, a mixed media sculpture and off-shoot of the “Hooded Figure” series, pulls back the hood and adds a helmet, a shield, chain mail, and a torch, thereby moving away from the abstract form of the original pieces in the series to a more detailed and representational expression. Hand built and raku fired paper clay with steel wire, forsythia and Epoxy Sculpt on gneiss and set on an MDF base plate. 7 ½” x 8 ¾” x 3”
In THE HAND OF MAN, part of my “Expressive Hands” series, the hand is holding the Earth which is not attached and can be dropped if one is not careful, perhaps not unlike reality. Hand built and raku fired paper clay with an unglazed paper clay “Earth”. 5” x 3 ½” x 4”
HOLDING ONTO HOPE, like AN OLD MAN’S PRAYER, is part of my “Expressive Hands” series. In this piece the hand is neither open nor closed. What it is holding onto is so ephemeral it cannot be seen, yet life requires that it must be held. Hand built and raku fired paper clay. 5” x 3 ¾” x 4”
John Fansmith 