Artist Statement

Throughout history artists have functioned as social commentators.  As the child of a Holocaust survivor I was aware from a young age of the fear, apathy and victimization inherent in human cultures.  I use human and anthropomorphic figures as the vehicle to explore the results of these prevalent emotions on society.  The results form an uncomfortable contrast between the external face of content and the inner destruction that they pose.  I reference art, contemporary culture, religion, mythology and other forms of social determinism in non-traditional ways to engage my subjects in activities that confront the viewer with the results of the human condition. 

To accentuate the narrative I use various surface treatments to emphasize different aspects of the work.  Along with a minimal use of colorful glazes, I use a surface technique that I developed known as "Naked Fauxku".  This approach reproduces a likeness to Naked Raku but is created in a high fire, oxygenated atmosphere with no reduction.  The advantage of this technique is that it creates a cracked and painful looking surface that adds subliminal meaning to the work, while technically imparting it with a durability that is unattainable from un-vitrified raku work.