THE GREEN SHOW – Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse

Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Gallery, Epic Center – September 2011
Working 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.

Things of Steel, Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk, mixed media sculpture
Steel, like people, has character. This character shines through to Michelle Zorich and Katherine Martin and sets the stage for the creation that it is to become.

Not only do Zorich and Martin use recycled steel, they discover pieces of steel that were discarded by others because it has for whatever reason lost its value for them. The essence of the sheets and chunks of steel speaks to them revealing handsome, sexy, or funky lines. At times they leave the steel in its rawest form reflecting it's age and history, often it is tattered and scarred. By buffing, sanding, grinding and waxing the steel they bring out its natural beauty. Many times they see no reason to paint the piece and hide the charm of the steel's scars, bumps, scratches and rust, they can make it so much more intriguing.

Then by welding the steel bits together they create a bond, a new existence and a new purpose. The cast away scraps and chunks of metal are transformed into furnishings, sculptures, and accessories that are reintroduced to the world with a new purpose.

Things of Steel has been creating art with recycled and repurposed items for the past 14 years.
They can be found at their studio, 432 E. Paterson in Kalamazoo.