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About the
Art
by Angie Cook |
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Why would an artist devote a year to a project
and involve several members of the family?
There are some inspirations that come from a place so deep that anything is prudent. This was such a project. I wanted to make a life sized sculpture of a mother and child. For some reason I wanted them in a circle. This was a troublesome concept because I could not make any sense out of such an inspiration. Why, how, and to what purpose would I put them in a circle? |
| This was to be a commissioned-gift (it was
both, I was paid but did not expect the equivalent to the work I intended
to produce) to Fannin Regional Hospital. This is where five of our grandchildren
were born, and the hospital where my wrist was repaired after a bad break,
requiring surgery and a lengthy uncomfortable healing process. During this
time I gave thought to the doctor's explanation of why the surgery was
necessary... my fine motor skills could be ruined if I didn't get the fixater
to hold the bones in just the right place. I could have lost my ability
to do detail work with my right hand. Being a right handed detail artist,
this was a scary thought. Dr. Douglas Neulle gave me the second chance
to continue my art. It was a gift I didn't take lightly. A creative flow
began like never before. I realized that it was time to take my art more
seriously. Read more about the impact of this 'life event' here.
What was the circle for... why in a circle? I started sketching and searching...... and it happened. The answer came. I cut a strip of paper and made a moebius band. Then examined it from every angle, and I loved the way it changed... so graceful, like slow music. Then the poem came to me, and I had the inspiration to carry me through this work. A work more ambitious than any before. Most importantly, it was a work from the heart. Motherhood is the most precious yet intense role one can have in life. The moebius band was symbolic of the continuum that I know motherhood to carry.
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| Here you will find a few of my favorite
photos of the processes and notes to their significance. There are several
overlapping layers of meaning in this work. You will see what I mean as
the story unfolds. It was a work that circled my own family... pulling
them in, and binding them with the invisible but real mother's love.
Notice the tiny circle in the abdomen in the drawing?
The artist, Travis, titled the drawing: Mommy. |
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ABOUT the ART |
Once
the concept was clear, I researched and began the self education process
of learning how to do the task ahead. This is always the way with me. Even
if I have done a particular thing before, I always want to know how to
do it better. I discovered a sculpting product called Winterstone. This
was my chosen sculpting medium. Here is the second maquette, finished in
Winterstone, giving me the opportunity to see how the material worked out
before buying the full amount needed for the work. I loved it!