I am fascinated by sea shells. Dante said it early and well, “Nature is the art of God.” And sea shells are up there in the most perfect design by nature category. With their beauty they also have a longing. Shells are beautiful discarded objects that were once part of a living creature. They have an intrinsic material and aesthetic quality but lack a life force. As an art maker I strive to animate inanimate objects. Teshellation is an art piece that celebrates the inner glow of beautiful objects that have outlived their function.
Teshellation is an artwork featuring a pattern of 84 cast and carved oil-painted hydrocal shells hovering in front of an oil-painted board. Each shell is set just off the surface of the board with a threaded rod attached to a T-nut on the back of the board. The shells are each lit from behind with an LED light. Reflective glass beads cover the back of each shell and the circles on the board. The piece is framed with an aluminum frame.