Sculpture
Sculpture is one of my favorite forms of creative expression. Take a look at my various welded and wooden pieces!
Gustavo
Wood, Sheet Metal, Steel Rod, Acrylic Paint, Wood Stain
Gustavo was based on a watercolor sketch that I had painted in my notebook one summer. Out of all of my sketches, I grew attached to the thought of him coming to life in a three-dimensional form. These photos display my iterative process from prototype to completion.
Dandelion
Perforated Steel, Sheet Metal, Nails, Steel Rod
As my first welding project, this piece taught me the importance of patience. Picking dandelions and making wishes on them is a fond memory of my childhood and to this day something that I continue to do. To those that tend lawns, dandelions are often seen as weeds and removed from grass. This piece serves as commentary on childhood and how as you grow, the magic of things tends to disappear, just as a dandelion turns from a magical wish fulfilling device to a weed.
Teapot
Sheet Metal, Steel Rods, Glass Beads
In exploring my identity I think deeply of my family and the nights in which we gathered around our withered kitchen table with the teapot, one of the only items my parents had brought with them from Uzbekistan, sitting on the table. I embodied my connection to my Uzbek heritage within the welded teapot. The colored beads pouring out represent the traditional colors of Uzbek teapots as well as the evil eye. The teapot was made from bending steel rods into circles and cutting them to make the sides round. The choice to make the teapot hollow represents my values and identity always being found inside of me, even though they may not be visible on the surface.
Charm Bracelet
Wood, Steel Rod, Perforated Steel, Acrylic Paint, Enamel
Adorned on my wrist everyday is a silver charm bracelet that I have not taken off for almost 10 years. In transitioning into a new decade of my life, I struggled with the feeling of growing up. This giant charm bracelet represents that feeling. Each charm is withered down as a representation of wear and growth. Although slightly withered, they still stand strong on the bracelet as a depiction of my younger self never truly escaping me. The working clasp lying open represents acceptance of a loss of innocence as well as the welcoming of a new maturity. The rings and clasp were created by hand bending steel rods. Each charm holds a different medium from sheet metal to wood to perforated steel.