The collection and display of objects is a common social practice that reflects behavioral patterns that mirror aspects of public and private life. It constructs a way in which we relate to each other and instructs how we order the material world. One main focus of my work has been the way that objects are valued and devalued depending on their place of display. My practice materially stores, orders and reorders consumer culture, its relationship to industrial design and contemporary art practices. This creates a link between market culture and visual culture and addresses how aesthetic values are created, how materials are used in the formation of identities and ideologies; and how these forms take up space in our life.

For this public art project, The Shape of Things, I have referenced a specific place of display found in people’s homes, the mantle piece. For centuries, the fireplace mantle has been a common place for the display of personal objects often having sentimental value. These objects represent both family history and the mass production of goods. This public artwork expands upon one of my previous sculpture titled Mantles.

The original leaning composition was 3’(h) x 6’ (w) x 3’(d), made from plywood and house paint. Objects that existed on mantels of private homes were reinterpreted through the use of photography. I photographed about 20 mantle pieces in private homes, I projected the images and traced the objects making paper cutouts that were then used as patterns for the final wood silhouette’s. The surrogate cut outs were arranged in a new configuration with each original group of mantles painted a distinct colour of white from a designer house paint collection.

Sculpture
9’ 8” (h) x 4’ 5” (w) x 4’ 5” (d)
Mounted on 4’ (h) x 4’ 5” (w) x 4’ 5” (d) pedestal

Materials and fabrication
1/2” waterjet cut aluminum, paint and marble clad concrete pedestal

Artwork Location
ORCHID
5580 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC, V6X 0R8

Completion
September 2018

Commissioned by
Beedie Living

Public Art Consultant
Barbara Cole / Cole Projects

Fabricator
Richard Thacker

Design and Project Assistance
Charlotte Falk

Structural Engineer
Gilbert Raynard, Professional Engineer
RJC Consulting Engineers