Joe Walters - Spiral Mesh

mixed media
1999

Artist Statement:

The literal content of my work has to do in part with the interdependency of species within ecosystems. I use intentional scale discrepancies to reinforce this idea. Large mammals are given no more physical prominence than insects or other small creatures. The surface treatment of the individual mixed media figures implies they are corroded iron. This creates a Pompeii-like archaeological context for the work and may metaphorically reference the fragility and fleetingness of life, which includes not only individual organisms, but ecological systems as a whole.

The overall configurations of my installation usually employ a naturally occurring shape to indicate a universal system of which all life forms (including ourselves ) are a component. In the work for Brackett hall at Clemson University, I sued a loose spiral which may suggest the pattern of some galaxies, the growth patterns of flower petals or the components of a sea shell. This particular work also was designed to interact with the architecture of the site. By implying continuation of the spiral through windows and other elements, I hope to integrate the installation formally and create contrast with the geometry of the building by introducing a strong organic element to the overall design.