Artist Statement

Two distinct avenues of exploration characterize my work:

For the past twenty years I have been known for making large kinetic sculptures based on mechanized geometric elements that move in relative relief against a standing surface. These pieces command a fair amount of space and engage the public through motorized movement. One of these works, “Large Black Machine “ was recently exhibited as a part of the Art Fronts Project in the window at 1507 Walnut Street. The rhythmic reconfiguration of lumbering black shapes against a brilliant white ground fit well within the cityscape, offering a dynamic passage to intrigued viewers on the sidewalk.

This particular mode of making has several requirements. Each piece must have a site and requires continuous maintenance and oversight. The work is large; pieces that are not sited must be stored. And each piece takes a long time to complete. With this in mind, I began developing a group of small, stabile studies that, over the past couple of years, has grown into a significant and distinct body of work.

In making these pieces, I work quickly and intuitively. They are like dimensional gesture drawings, thumbnail sketches made from the detritus of construction. They are the beginnings of thoughts and thus retain a spirit of invention and inquiry.