SCULPTURE
Evil is like a candle that burns with a black flame; it illuminates all that
is around it, but in an unusual manner. It makes white things look black,
and black things look white, but most confusing of all, it leaves the middle
greys untouched. Anyone in the presence of evil who focuses their attention
on the grey areas can have their world turned upside-down without even noticing
really when or how it happened. One day they suddenly become aware that they
are no longer sure of their views - whether they see positives or negatives -
and dwelling on the grey areas is of no assistance whatsoever.
Evil is no more unnatural than its complement, good. It comes to us, as does
good, in the form of human behavior; but, whereas good seems to emanate out of
people, evil seems to suck into them, taking not giving, using not providing.
Evil has a useful place. It forces us to look hard at the extreme choices
available to us, and gives us the power to decide for ourselves what is positive
and what is negative. No one who has been in the presence of good and evil can
again live a life of indulgent bliss contemplating the grey areas and growing
old without permanently choosing to close their eyes.
In 1995, I encountered evil, and it turned my world upside down. I chose not
to close my eyes, and finally in 1996 I began the process of trying to
determine if my new views were positive or negative. In doing so, I probed
both consciously and unconsciously into the blacks and whites to see if I
could find my truth. Creating became part of this search.
I make no effort to explain the meaning, myth, or metaphor of the sculpture
presented here. The great mystery of creation is too often belittled by
attempts at explanation. All I will say is that it was created in 1996, and
it is a construction of rubber, paper, porcelain, plaster, plastic, copper
and string. It has the title, Raven, but, in hindsight, I should not have
given it a title at all. I just didn't understand that at the time. My role
in its creation was simply to bring its parts together, not to name or
explain it.
This work is in my collection.
Your comments and questions are welcomed. E-mail me.