Earth, Wind, and Fire

Papa Don's Deli
303 Pasadena Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030
April 1 - April 30, 2010
Artist Reception: Saturday, April 17, 6:30PM

As part of a group show that includes art from the renowned Chicana artist Margaret Garcia and many of her proteges, I am contributing papier-mâché sculptures that represent the elements of earth, wind, and fire to celebrate the onset of spring. Two angels fly above the picture window that represent the hot Southwest Wind and the cool Pacific Blue Breeze. Three passionate flaming hearts emblazoned with love doves soar on the wall near the grill, and three golden American Idols are rooted to solid cocoa wood blocks.

These artworks further my exploration of the limitless possibility of papier-mâché, as wall art, as hanging art, as table art. For fine detail, I introduced the element of Creative Paperclay®, a medium composed mainly from volcanic ash, to the traditional mixture. As always, I am drawn to the feminine qualities of dish detergent bottles that form the underlying structure of both the angels and the idols. Whereas the angels are painted in the bright colors of the Mexican tradition, I chose an antique finish for the love doves and a distressed metallic look of ancient bronze and gold for the idols that belies their humble origins.