Lush

2012

Sculptural Collage

Working in the form of Juxtaposition, Lush was rooted in inspirations I gathered while living in New Orleans, where I worked as a Mardi Gras sculptor. The waist form in Lush, carved from wood, is a nod to mannequins that lined French Quarter's thrift shops, adorned with provocative phrases like "Got Beads?" and "Who Dat?" on their booty shorts.

These oversaturated tokens of seduction were meant to amplify the experiences of visitors and locals alike. I aimed to create an experience that was both jubilant and soft, commercial and accessible, by combining bright, smooth surfaces with the romantic nature of carved wood.

My approach was also influenced by the concept of juxtaposition, which involves placing unrelated elements side-by-side or atop one another to create a striking effect of comparison or contrast. This technique allows artworks to communicate beyond words and symbols, creating an immediate and visceral impression.

I drew inspiration from artists like Haim Steinbach, whose found object pairings transcend their commercial origins and raise questions about beauty.

By combining disparate elements, I sought to create a new whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. This approach is reminiscent of collages, photomontages, assemblages, and constructions, as well as musical medleys, sound collages, and mash-ups.