Sculpture No.632, Fortitude (2013- 18)
30” x 63” tall, welded repurposed metals in found finish and oiled.
This is one piece to a series that was inspired over three years of helping a family member – survive – three severe medical conditions.
The odd health issues caused us to travel many miles in the dark shadows of tornados. Being jerked and swirled in a world wind of not knowing – fear loomed as a cold breeze clawing on senses. I clung to love; hanging on for all I was worth. Weathered- we garnered great physical successes. The success came as stillness and silence in the crest of an early morning sunrise as if the universe smiled. Success showed up as a dewdrop, clear and glimmering, on the pedal of a new fluorescent green sprout. The offering, new day- new chances, reflections – outcome of hope. Now after time, I am able to look around and appreciate the support of wonderful, kind, people and the Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio.
Extreme Experiences of the body are not new to me, this time: I learned how amazingly resilient and intuitive the human body/ spirit actually is.
The events inspired my investigation into the different aspects of being human. I looked through science, alchemy, religion, and into the healing of flesh, bone, mind, body, to include communication, interior, and exterior.
This sculpture is a reflection of a human traveling through life and death multiple times. The centerpiece – (heart) heavy and hard, holding the person-ality, cells, memory as if jeans that walked many miles in vastly changing weather. The heart can be separated from the body ie: HCM and the process of shaving the heart. The body or structure is an abstract description or map of the thoughts, investigations, and experiences the process of sickness into wellness.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): is a disease in which the heart muscle (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick (hypertrophied). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually caused by abnormal genes (gene mutations) that cause the heart muscle to grow abnormally thick. People with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy also have an abnormal arrangement of heart muscle cells (myofiber disarray). This disarray can contribute to arrhythmia in some people.
- Endocarditis: is caused by a growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves, leading to an infected mass called a “vegetation”. The infection may be introduced during brief periods of having bacteria in the bloodstream.
- Twisted bowel is known as volvulus or intussusception also known as a few other things.
Congratulations to a wonderful and tuff lady who is enjoying great health now.