'cross the Tracks

Across the Tracks 

ocj219

This piece is titled  ‘cross the Tracks.  I spent my youth in a small southern town with a population of less than 4000 people.  I would expect that there are as many divergent views of the South and all things Southern as there are people expressing views.  The story of this piece, however,  expresses only one view, that of mine as I experienced life as a young black child of the late 50’s and early 60’s. 

‘cross the Tracks represents a perspective that I gained during a time of political and social isolation in that small Southern town.  It was a period of growth and development for me that, while taking place in the  midst of  a segregated world, did not taint me with the prevailing oppression. 

My world as a young boy was warm and protected, rich in creative investigations about human relationships, nature, and the personal strengths of  the people around me, the hands that nurtured me.  The thoughts and inspirations that shaped me so long ago are vibrant underpinnings of my work today.  ‘cross the Tracks is a celebration of growth and personal perseverance.  The titanium axel in the center of the piece represents the toughness of the resolve developed there.  Personal success can literally occur anywhere under any condition.  ‘cross the Tracks can represent a place of despair or, as in my case, a place of hope and victory. Celebrate resolve.

The pendant is fabricated of sterling, titanium, copper, bronze, ebony, six rubies, three freshwater pearls and egg shell matrix.  Dimensions: 1.8 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches.

'Cat's Cradle' Pendant

At the end of July I will board a plane and travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada to attend the EMMA 'Unplugged' 2012 International Collaboration.  About 100 artists from Canada, the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will converge the evening of July 29th for the Gala Reception of the Decoy Exhibition.  Held at the Saskatchewan Craft Council Affinity Gallery, the exhibition will contain works of the participating artists and will initiate the beginning of the International Collaboration. 

I have submitted a pendant titled Cat's Cradle as my Decoy entry for the Exhibition.  It is made of forged titanium and fused sterling.  The dimensions of the pendant are 2.6 x 2.25 x 0.6 inches. 

Cat's Cradle is a series of string figures created by an individual or between two people as a game.  In this game it is possible to form many different shapes using string that is supported by the fingers.  I am at once drawn to the imagery of weavers using their hands to create cloth.  I have always felt an interest in and awareness of where we all "come from".  How are things passed along and how do they fall away?  It is a puzzle, much like the cat's cradle, of how the pattern that is made is repeated and changed.  I liken our ancestors to hands manipulating the strings of their succeeding generations in order to create us, the patterns.  In my piece Cat's Cradle, we are at once the silver representing the string.  We are also the hands creating pattern.

Thank you for reading.  I look forward to your comments.  Charles