Each
participating artist wrote a personal statement accompanying
their work.
Artist
statement by Gallen Benson:
Title:
Sacred Hand
I made
this piece a few months after the terrorist attacks.
I had moved through the shock stage, dealt with the fear, and
moved through waves of intense sadness and loss. I then felt
the
patriotism, reestablished my self-worth as an artist, and
reflected
on the causes behind the events. Through this piece, I wanted
to express a higher level of truth regarding who we are as
human beings , and support our collective healing and
transformation. The hand is my hand, your hand, and God's
hand. In the center is love, a heart carved in sacred pipestone.
Out from this center I made a medicine wheel. Four hands,
the four directions, the four colors of people. We are all
connected.
The predominate red in the piece expresses deep healing
in all our hearts.
Materials & Technique:
Sterling silver lost wax cast hand, fabricated silver, gold,
carved pipestone, mother of pearl, red coral, citrene, black
onyx, enamel, and bloodwood.
