ARTIST STATEMENT

CAROL BROOKES

I see the world as layers of structure and surface, one upon the other. These concepts drive my work and have resulted in two related series of work, PULSE and SLANT. These works are made of frame-like boxes constructed of wood and canvas and filled with sculptural structures and mixed media materials. They are in essence wall sculptures that create a strong architectural presence.

SLANT evolved from PULSE, which explores the spherical form of the hemisphere and uses mixed media materials to express both the organic and industrial aspects of this form. I am totally involved with the hemisphere as a structure, the ordinary form that we see every day in its many incarnations; the egg, pod, or eye, the earth, planets, domes and the many concepts that these forms evoke; thoughts and feelings of life, birth, insight, the mystical and mysterious. The major thrust of the SLANT series is to push the idea of the hemisphere in conjunction with and in relation to the wedge form. The work explores the three-dimensionality of these structures and the emotional connections created by the relationships of these contrasting forms, materials and surfaces. The wedge forms add a dimensionality that activates the space, creating an architectural flow of form.

My work is material driven and explores interesting and unique materials. I consider the world my art supply store. I am fascinated with hardware. To me, hardware is sculpture, architecture, jewelry. Combining hardware with textured epoxy surfaces and other construction materials like tubing, rope, industrial insulation, and more, provides exciting challenges and unending possibilities. These surfaces and materials create intricate patterns. Everyday objects transform into new and visually exciting combinations that become "something else."

With each new idea comes a new learning process. I am constantly learning “how to make my art”. How can I use the newly discovered materials or tools to express a particular concept? How do I combine certain materials? How can I attach or assemble these materials? I find this aspect of my work extremely challenging and exciting.

The works in SLANT involve repetition of the wedge and hemispherical forms. I find repetition to be comforting, a visually stabilizing force. I also create repetition of form by creating groups of structures that are the same size. These pieces are modular and are grouped in sets of two or three, or larger sets presented in rows and grids. In my latest work, some of the groupings are irregular, sprawling forms that create angular, architecturally sculptured walls. The modular aspect of these works allows them to be displayed in numerous ways. Arranging the pieces becomes a creation in itself. The grouping of structures creates relationships between the forms and surfaces, and sets up visual identities, similarities and differences that can be compared and contrasted. The repetitions develop a synergy of form, surface and color that can be compared and contrasted.

My work is spontaneous and controlled, playful and serious, my own personal yin and yang. Creating these constructed worlds is a mystical event for me. Although the ideas flow from one piece to the other, there are always surprises. Art is the magic of my life and like magic the excitement comes from not knowing what wonderful, new idea, object or material will appear and exactly what will happen next.