THE GREEN SHOW – Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Gallery, Epic Center – September 2011Working with a GREEN point of view, seventeen Kalamazoo area artists investigated how this might
impact their work. Many have looked to found objects as a source of materials and inspiration.
Others are recycling work that they created earlier in their career.
Still others are inspired by objects found in nature. Show Statement.
Elizabeth King,
Suspension: Oracle, found object sculpture
Waste… careless consumption of resources…
What's a self-respecting earth-lover to do?
My choice is to make art.
My constructions use pieces and parts that catch my eye during various walks & travels.
A glint of light, an unusual pattern in the dirt or a pale glow in the shadows stops me. As I look more closely, an intriguing fragment presents itself. When I pick it up, it feels curiously satisfying in the hand.
Sometimes I feel that I am the one being flirted with by these motley objects that seem to say, "Hey there! You know, I could be pretty cool in something… Why don't you try using me?"
So my work is play with the discarded, the non-precious, the least piece. The lack of pretense in the materials makes me feel like "No worries… nothing fancy here-- let's just experiment, have fun and see what happens…"
Anything can be elevated to art by being given attention— and here that translates into time,
energy, and love of making.