I draw inspiration from many sources: the beauty and complexity of Nature, the transcendence of music, and the power of human emotion. A common element throughout my work is organic form and a recurring theme is that of contrast: the ephemeral v. the concrete, order v. chaos, being v. not-being. Trained as both a mathematician and an artist, I constantly struggle to find the proper balance between logic and intuition. My drawing process is an iterative one -- building up and taking away; my seemingly random line moves back and forth between 2 and 3 dimensions.
The Mandala Series began with a graphite drawing of a very small cluster of moss. Charmed by the original drawing, I was inspired to draw it again, but this time in large format. Because the large drawing seemed to have a cosmic quality and the creative process was so meditative and introspective, I named it Mandala. Mandalas (c.f. Sanskrit for circle or completion) are ritualistic designs that are symbolic of the universe and used as aids to meditation in Hinduism and Buddhism. I have made my mandalas using a variety of materials, moving them off the page and into space. Each one presents its own qualities and challenges, and each suggests a new possibility for future expression.
Taking a more mathematical approach for the musical landscapes, I envision mappings of rhythm into line, harmony into plane, and the intersection of the planes into the landscape itself -- music suffusing and infusing the world. The Musical Line installation, created for the Princeton University's Performances Up Close Concert Series, comprises 3 separate works, each highlighting a different perception of music: music as raw sound waves; sound waves magically transforming into music; and the dynamic of musical phrases in counterpoint. Each concert presented a single work, suspended above the musicians and moving gently in direct response to the air currents generated by the performance below.
Sometimes it's just about fun. The installation Wheel Reinventing Itself was inspired by a show entitled "Reinventing the Wheel". Both Nature's Reclamation and Family Trace were created as part of a send-off for an abandoned house: the former to suggest that in its abandonment, Nature reclaims her own; and the latter, in what had been the Master Bedroom, to pay tribute to the family 'tree' that grew in that space. Wired was created for an annual exhibition of artist-designed chess sets sponsored by the Medialia Gallery in New York City.