This concentration explores the relation between humans and nature. I explored humanity’s deviation from harmony with nature by using a variation of color, texture, and form to show how this deviation can lead to self-destruction that once again brings humans back to the hands of nature, just like a cycle. Each of my works demonstrates my environmentalist ideas as well as my views on industrialization and militarization and their effect on our well-being.
In order to explore how humans change as they deviate from Mother Nature, I started by expressing the state of humans while they are in harmony with nature. In pieces 1 and 2, the sculptures are shown to be in harmony with nature through their gestures as well as the use of bright colors, such as blue, green, and red, that are often associated with nature.
Piece 1: “Ethereal”
Medium: Ceramic, Glaze, Temporal Paint, Acrylic Paint
Piece 2: “Emergence”
Medium: Ceramic, Glaze, Temporal Paint
In piece 3, although the human is still embraced by nature, her thoughts are shown to be blooming into dark flowers. The thoughts lead her to discover literacy, civilization, and urbanization, as is shown in piece 4. The challenging part of my concentration was showing this transition from nature to civilization. I did so by substituting sublunary colors such as iron oxide and darker colors for brighter colors. I also made the texture of my pieces transition from a smoother texture to a coarser texture that manifests self-destruction.
Piece 3: “Innocent gaze, and dark flowers of thought”
Medium Ceramic, Glaze, Underglaze
Piece 4: “Edification”
Medium: Ceramic, Glaze, Iron Oxide
In piece 5, industrialization, militarization, and destruction of nature, as symbolized by the gas mask, cancerous skin, and blown-up head, lead humanity into a path of self-emptiness and self-destruction. Piece 6 manifests a tearful, characterless, and amorphous empty human vessel, which finally breaks apart in piece 7 and returns to the hands of nature, just like a cycle.
Piece 5: “Cataclysm”
Medium: Ceramic, Glaze, Iron Oxide
Piece 6: “Crippled”
Medium: Ceramic, Glaze, Iron Oxide
Piece 7: “Collapse and Rebirth”
Medium: Ceramic, Glaze, Iron Oxide
