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Artist Statement
Michael Cottrell
www.cottrellsculpture.com
michael@cottrellsculpture.com 8703 Ricardo Lane Jacksonville FL 32216....................................(307) 690-8640
I see my artwork as a type of personal evolution, each piece and concept leading to the next as I constantly learn and grow as an artist, and as a person. For several years my focus has been the exploration of abstracted versions of objects that I imagine to be “below the surface” of something. I have been considering subject matter such as fossils, bones, the core of the earth, or the “innerness” of something, which lies just out of view waiting to be exposed. These things and the forms they inspire are also segments of a whole entity, which are taken out of context. They stand on their own as complete forms, but suggest integral relationships to other objects, which are not present. Some of this concept also includes what lies below the surface of a being in a more philosophical rather than physical sense. Emotions, personality, and inner beauty are examples of this. The visual impact of some of these pieces has been suggestive of antiquity, like a recently unearthed skeleton on display, or of slices of an object in cross-section.
Being a very process oriented artist as well, I am constantly exploring new methods of constructing my pieces that successfully elucidate their underlying concepts. While remaining true to fundamental concepts of formal three-dimensional design, I seek to enrich the visual impact of my pieces by creating dynamic relationships that demand an interactive viewing. I have recently hit upon a method of making fabric hold a rigid form. This allows me to capture the inherent organic and ephemeral qualities of the drapery in a static state. This imposed solidity is contradictory to the expectation of fabric as a fluid material which creates an interesting interaction with the viewer.
My ceramic work tends to incorporate a variety of materials which are not often utilized in vessel oriented ceramics. I often use modern sculptural materials such as steel, bronze, nails, stone, and found objects in conjunction with ancient forms and surface treatments. The amphora form with a Terra Sigilatta surface augmented with the subtleties of various smoking techniques are my preferred materials. The combination of these elements produces a smooth fusion of antiquity with the contemporary making each piece a unique synthesis of formal and conceptual work.
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