Sculpture

Separation Series | Portraits | Classical Figures | Abstract Art Tablets

Separation Series

The multimedia sculptural series, consisting of 9 vessels of H 14" x W 16", filled with water, contain expressions that attempt to represent the pain and despair experienced by those who have lost their children through violence, as well as depicting the complacency of perpetrators and bystanders.

This country has a long history of separating children from their families. During the 200 years of slavery, children were sold apart from their parents; Native American children were abducted from their homes and sequestered in residential schools; and more recently, migrant children are being separated from parent(s) as they seek asylum. In addition, the ongoing trauma and loss from gun violence continues to exact its toll on our society.

The glazed ceramic vessels were made by a combination of wheel thrown and slab pieces with sculpted bas-relief faces and hands. Each vessel is approximately 16” wide by 14” high and filled with water. They were created in 2021 and 2022.

'Anguish', 1 of 9 vessels in 'Separation Series' dealing with trauma from loss of a loved one through violence; multimedia: ceramic sculpture (colors are iron red on exterior and blue inside) and water; H 16" xW 14"

While it was on exhibit in Montpelier the summer, of 2022, I had the opportunity to speak with a number of people who visited the gallery during the first Friday Art Walks. The response was overwhelming, with people mentioning how "powerful" and "unique". Here is a quote from a message that Mary Beth Bowman sent to me:

“Your sculptures took my breath away. The way you were captured humanity, motherhood, love, and challenged me to look into the faces of suffering ... I am so grateful I have been able to spend some time with your vessels, they brought an issue which at times feels so far away, right to my heart. Thank you.”

- Mary Beth

Despair

“My kids are gone. Who knows where? No one asked for our names. No record was kept. They just took them away…”

Denial

“Don’t look! Then we won’t know about the childen being ripped from their parents, some as young as three months old. They are put in crowded cages in detention centers and left neglected.”

Anguish

“The pain of losing a child runs deep and long… The pain never really goes away.

Shame

In the land of the “free'“, some are - other are not.

Desolate

Hopeless, exhausted… Caught in the quagmire of logistical nightmares. Parents have little hope of ever seeing their children again.

Abandoned

Children are traumatized. Their parents are gone. They are alone. They don’t understand.

“Shh…”

“If we don’t talk about it, maybe the problem will go away.””

Shh... - 'Separation Series' Exhibition at Peace & Justice, Burlington, VT. Theme : trauma experienced from loss of loved ones through violence; multimedia: ceramic sculpture (colors: iron red exterior, blue interior) and water; H 16"xW 14"

Denial

“Don’t look! Then we won’t know about the childen being ripped from their parents, some as young as three months old. They are put in crowded cages in detention centers and left neglected.”