ada smolen-morton

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My work explores grief through the depiction of physical interaction.

Many of the figures in my sculptures interact with animals and objects that embody grief, serving as physical manifestations of emotion. Some sculptures display an interaction for the audience to view, while others evidence an antecedent interaction. The physicality allows me to depict an intangible, immaterial, abstract experience. 

Much of my work sits within a revitalization of Fauvism that I like to call Neo-Fauvism. The color creates an initial atmosphere for the viewer as they approach the work. At this point, the viewer can see color, but can’t yet discern the physical interaction or the character’s expression. The sculpture is an amalgamation of form and color. This use of color enables me to project an emotion to the viewer and draw them into the sculpture. The colors of Fauvism capture the experience of reality more realistically than naturalistic colors could. 

I appreciate ceramics’ physicality and the time restraints that clay demands. In my experience, it does not allow for exceeding perfectionism or overworking.