Cyclical in nature

Visual arts

CYCLICAL IN NATURE

Artist statement

I use human anatomy like organs or bones  and  animal bones to create symmetrical designs that examine the cyclical nature of all life. I’ll reorganize bones and organs to create visually appealing circular patterns that illustrate how life is a cyclical process with drawings or sculptures and spreading awareness for bones as a material for art but also how bones can be useful materials.

I use a lot of bones from animals that I’ve eaten, from farms and from owl pellets that I find in the woods. There are two spots I know of that owls will drop their pellets and that is where I go to collect most of my bones. I respect the lives the bones formerly had while cleaning and cleansing the bones. The bones are the evidence that their lives are precious and have different values depending on the animal. Before placing them in a circular pattern, I’ll classify them  the best I can according to comparable shapes, sizes  and the type of animal it belongs to. When I arrange the bones I like to play with the hierarchy the animals naturally are in nature going along with the idea of prey and predator all important parts of the food chain that keep each other in balance. The bones were once an animal that lived and thrived in these woods and its life ended to support another life which is the owls and other creatures living in the woods. It’s a cycle that’s been happening since the beginning of time. An animal’s life being sacrificed to feed another. This sacrifice keeps the world going. Along with the bones I have a cedar cookie with the saw marks showing the end of that tree’s life but it also represents the disruptions caused by humans in nature.  Bones have many uses in different cultures around the world. The most common use for bones is in rituals. The final remnant of our life cycle that returns to the ground are our bones, which stand for our most basic and authentic selves. Right now, symmetrical ceremonial circular patterns that depict the life cycle are the focus of my work. I’m influenced by bone-based spiritual rites.  I’m using the bones as a protection symbol and for ritual arrangements forming a partnership with the bones. I’m merging this  ritual with interesting circular patterns to honor the bones and their cycle of life. 

Bones stand for the link between the physical and spiritual realms. They also represent the life cycle as the final destination before returning to the ground and beginning a new cycle. Respect and honoring the bones are vital aspects in my work. With my work I try to bring awareness to bones as a useful tool and to find the beauty in bones but also their stories.

Materials: Bones, cedar wood cookie, circle canvas, glue and a table.

Previous works