I have long held a fascination with memory jugs. It is an antique African American folk art that honors the dead. Jugs and other sculptural forms were coated with a substrate and little bits of ephemera were affixed onto the jug. These included pieces of the dead’s belongings in the form of combs, buttons, coins, shells, shards, etc.
Memory jugs are the perfect marriage of interests for me. I love anything folk and outsider art related as the power of expression outweighs technique and craft. And I am also interested in the notion of human residue and all the things we leave behind, or love for just a while and then get rid of. What do our belongings say about what kind of person we are?
These sculptures were a way of exploring these themes and finding new questions to ponder on. By covering some of the sculptures with paint the objects developed a new mystery to them in their evolving incarnation.
The Inner Doorway Assorted Objects, Clay Molds, Paint 4.5”x12”
Mary Assorted Objects, Paint and Putty 14"
Yellow Fake Flowers, Assorted Objects, Paint and Putty 6”x9 1/4”
Yellow, Side View Fake Flowers, Assorted Objects, Paint and Putty 6”x9 1/4”
Yellow, Side View Fake Flowers, Assorted Objects, Paint and Putty 6”x9 1/4”
Hell Plaster Teeth, Paint and Putty. 12”x7”
Offerings to Her Assorted Objects, Teeth and Bones, Paint 10.5"x5"
Offerings to Her, Side View Assorted Objects, Teeth and Bones, Paint 10.5"x5"
Offerings to Her, Side View Assorted Objects, Teeth and Bones, Paint 10.5"x5"
Offerings to Her, Top View Assorted Objects, Teeth and Bones, Paint 10.5"x5"
Mojo Assorted Objects, Fish Bones and Putty 6.5”x12.5”
Mojo, Side View Assorted Objects, Fish Bones and Putty 6.5”x12.5”
Red Woman Assorted Objects and Putty 7.5”x12.5”
Red Woman, Side View Assorted Objects and Putty 7.5”x12.5”
Red Woman, Side View Assorted Objects and Putty 7.5”x12.5”
Red Woman, Side View Assorted Objects and Putty 7.5”x12.5”
Red Mother Assorted Objects, Paint 8"x4"
Iris Rhinestones and Vintage Photograph 6”x12”
Mother Nature Assorted Objects, Paint 14"x8"
Green Dream Assorted Objects, Paint 10.5”x8”
Green Dream, Side View Assorted Objects, Paint 10.5”x8”
Green Dream, Side View Assorted Objects, Paint 10.5”x8”
Green Dream, Side View Assorted Objects, Paint 10.5”x8”
Purple Rabbits Assorted Objects, Vintage Polaroid, Putty and Paint 10.25”x5.5"
Blue Egg Assorted Objects, Putty and Paint 17"x12"
Blue Egg, Side View Assorted Objects Putty and Paint 17"x12"
If You Name It, You Lose It Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 12.75”x7”
If You Name It, You Lose It, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 12.75”x7”
If You Name It, You Lose It, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 12.75”x7”
If You Name It, You Lose It, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 12.75”x7”
Champion Winner Assorted Objects, Wooden Frame, Putty and Paint 12.25"x12.25"
The Shining Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 14”x5”
The Shining, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 14”x5”
The Shining, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 14”x5”
The Shining, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 14”x5”
The Shining, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 14”x5”
Blue Jug #2 Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 17"x12"
Blue Jug, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty, Paint 17"x12"
Our Lady of Plenty Assorted Objects, Putty. 13”x6”
Our Lady of Plenty, Side View Assorted Objects, Putty. 13”x6”
Golden Mary Assorted Objects, Paint 7.5"x6"
Blue Jug 3 Assorted Objects, Putty and Paint 17"x12"
Nevin Yıldırım Rhinestones, Grout, Fabric Frame and Photograph 13"x5"
Nevin Yıldırım, Side View Rhinestones, Grout, Fabric Frame and Photograph 13"x5"
Ode to the Hairy Bush Rhinestones, Grout, Plastic Frame and Photograph 4”x7 1/4”
Hairy Legged Ghost Hand-Painted Tile, Hydrocal 4.5"x5.5"