ARTIST STATEMENT

As I see the human race swallowing sanctuaries of wildlife around the world, I’m prompted to represent that plight through my avatar of the wolf. Historically wolves have been perceived as enemies of human civilization, and even today this is happening. I'm taking human weapons of power and destruction, and making them the embodiment of the wolves collective avatars.

This work originates from an ongoing manuscript titled Recollections: Terminal Pack, where the physical art objects I distilled from envisioned characteristics of multiple animal avatars into forged swords, long-knives, and daggers--ornamented with cloisonné enamel and powder-coated floral designs to communicate the story through objects.

These edge weapons are not for our use, they exist between the manifestation and illustration and the avatar’s universe within the entire weapon. Central to each object are incorporated enamels depicting various wolves entangled, engulfed, and suspended from each blade. These points of narrative hold the strongest part of the avatar’s soul and embody the journey of each through the manuscript.

I often think about issues of transference, how a bladesmith gives each sword a part of themselves through its creation. The power a sword provides, and the question of whether the soul of a warrior dies when it is laid down in peace or defeat. This motivates us to reconsider what we see in the gnashing teeth and dug-in claws that we perceive as our enemy in nature.