arctic sculpture: snow and wind and light

I've been to Nunavik again. Back to Kangirsuk for 2 weeks. This was my first arctic visit in winter and I was worried that I wouldn't connect to the landscape as strongly now that the rich tundra that I love so much was covered in snow. I was wrong. It's just as spectacular in the winter. The ever-present wind really packs down the snow so it's very hard and then sculpts it into beautiful abstract forms and textures which is enhanced by the amazing light. Here are some images I took while on a very cold walk (with wind chill factor it felt like -40C...that's the same in Farenheit!) on a beautiful sunny day.

gentle snow at dusk

white floating traces

and if you listen closely

a waft of snowflake

first snow

My first morining in Kangirsuk, I awoke to a white world. Above is a shot from my hotel room window. Apparently I was privileged to witness the first snowfall of the season. Beautiful, but melted by the end of the day and no more snow for the rest of my visit.

soulful vessels

Inspired by my plaster "clot" forms which I experimented with in February, I decided to try something bigger. I ended up with these soulful vessels and I am in love with them. I could photograph them for hours!

and a few more reliquaries

spinal notes (2008), 7½” x 7½”, cast paper, silver wire

spinal notes (detail)

waiting... (2009), 4½” x 4½”, cast paper, beeswax, glass

waiting... (detail)

resolve (2009), 4½” x 4½”, cast paper, ptarmigan feathers, shale fragment

resolve (detail)

more reliquaries...

despite harm (2009), 4½” x 4½”, cast paper, washi, silver, tangerine tree thorn, ink

despite harm (detail)


thwarted (2008), 7½” x 7½”, cast paper, beech seed pods, waxed linen cord

thwarted (detail)

seeking tenderness (2008), 4½” x 4½”, cast paper, silver, washi

seeking tenderness (detail)

reliquaries new and old

I participated in a local studio tour this past weekend and made a few new reliquary pieces. I thought I'd show them here over the next few days with some of my older pieces.

shout (2009), 7½” x 7½”, cast paper, plaster bandage, ink, thread

shout (detail)

tenuous abundance (2007), 7½” x 7½”, cast paper, thread

tenuous abundance (detail)

contained no more (2008), 4½” x 4½”, cast paper

contained no more (detail)

perfect laundry day

In honour of haiku friday...

gentle breeze wafting
textured sun grazes white sheets
perfect laundry day

...now if technology could only allow me to share with you the wonderful smell of fresh laundry right off the clothesline.