What's in a Name?
To date, I have received 39 names for this work. They are all equally valid, hence, the formal name for this piece is …
“Metamorphosis – Underworld chaise – Intrepid Gold – Tip of the tongue – Pivotal Change – The Moment – Geologic – A whales tail – Under the sea – Mind over matter – Licking the night sky – Emerge (from the darkness) – Chaise me away – Relaxing seat – Dream Chair – The radiant path – Grounded in hope – Vine movement – Smokers lung – The lashing tongue – Branching Bullion – Entwined – Epic adventure – Low tide – Onward – Unhinged – Rebirth – Undulating grace – Ghost from before – Peace within – Reborn – Serenity of the dragon – Eternal Peace – Realize your strength – Hope to survive – Enigma - Forge a new – Trunk, leaf and flower – Golden dog happily dancing on dead steel dragon’s tongue!”
My work typically centers on Life-lessons learned from my patients, about hope, quality of life, and the importance of others. During the first phase of Covid, I was on a Zoom presentation by Lucy Barber entitled “100 Black Dads Project,” – a phenomenal work. AS I watched, I sketched out three pieces of art, The Apple, The Pear and the Human, each about diversity. The current, un-named piece presented here was about creating something from nothing. I had no preconceived visions of what I wanted to create or what it would mean – it was a personal journey.
Others before me have said that the importance of a work of art is not how the artist views it, but how others perceive it. When I asked viewers to name the work, I specifically did not ask if they liked the piece. Naming a work of art, typically requires more thought and creativity. I wanted them to think about the sculpture. For me the responses were insightful, diverse. Their responses allowed myself and others to see the work through their eyes and their perceptions which were equally if not more valid than my own. What impressed me most for the entire project was the diversity of their thoughts.
One of the great defining characteristics of humans is our ability to form complex thoughts. I see that in these names. What I don’t see and cannot discern within their responses is race, age, gender, gender-identity, religion, social-economic status etc. These latter traits don’t correlate with what i believe is truly important in humanness.
So, the abridged name of this piece is: