Overcoming Adversity

This thesis, Overcoming Adversity, consists of a culmination of ceramic, glass, paper, and light mixed media sculptures. The raku clay sculptures depict stories of the artist through the anthropomorphizing of animals in a way that melds fantasy and personal experience. Artistic expression through the manipulation of clay becomes a medicinal way the artist can heal. Personal marks open the door for viewers to reflect on their own struggles through analysis of each work. The post reduction process for raku clay provides this thesis with an array of fantastical colors. The colorful animals depicted are rendered with immense detail and care. The addition of glass, light, and paper elements adds to the luminous beauty. A common thread of oppositions of good and evil, positive and negative, life and death transpire throughout the works. Ultimately the sculptures represent life in an honest way that uncovers the truths of danger and death and overcoming such adversity.