Artist Statement – Jaci GuthrieI carve, I sculpt, I throw, I doodle. These are the things I do and the things that I love. The things that I want to do for the rest of my life. As an artist, you’re asked a lot of questions. One specific question that keeps coming up is “Why do/did you make that?”. I’m still not entirely sure I know the complete answer as to why I make the things I do. But I’ve done some thinking and I have a little better idea now, so here it goes: I draw inspiration from everywhere but certain things catch my eye. Things of whimsy, things that are elaborate and or extravagant in design. Things that you can tell are handmade and took an incredible amount of time and patience to complete. Things that have meaning like religious monuments, texts, icons. Things that are flowy, dream-like, fantastic, etc. My current work reflects these examples as well as my own thoughts, nostalgia, self-reflection, and growth. Thinking and tapping into times when things felt happier and a little easier. Reoccurring shapes, flowing lines, repetitive pattern making, and my (somewhat) steady hand, reflect these influences but still give you a taste of who I am as a person. My work and I have slowly evolved through the years and it’s been for the better. I don’t always have enough time to explain what’s going on in my head, but usually, I have a pen and a piece of paper. And that’s when something happens. My mind runs a million miles a minute and when I create, a sort of language flows out. A language that sometimes even I don’t fully understand. But I don’t think anyone has to. I’m quiet, shy, and a bit awkward. I don’t always know what to say. A lot of times I can’t formulate my thoughts the way I want. I over-explain and I talk too fast when I get excited. But when I make the marks, carve the design, and build the piece, I’m able to say so much without saying anything at all. I could be telling you an entire story. You might not know the plot or the characters, but it’s there. Straight from my noggin. The coolest part about all of this though is that art is subjective. No matter what it looks like or what someone thinks it means, it’s different for everyone. I already know how art makes me feel. I want to see how mine makes others feel. Even if they feel like they’re going to throw up. Anyone, anywhere, can feel anything about something you make and there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing but continue to feel. Continue to create. Continue to carve, sculpt, throw, or doodle. And hopefully, by doing so you’ll be able to make someone, somewhere feel something too. |
