VANISHING
LINKS SERIES
"Vanishing Links" is my third major series and is devoted to the endangered species of the world, many of whom are on the verge of extinction, with the hope of bringing attention to their struggle for survival. When I realized that three of the four animals I had chosen to represent in the African Tapestry series were on the verge of extinction, I knew I had to begin this series. The Tiger was the obvious candidate for the first of this series due to it's imminent demise. I will not bore you by getting on my "soapbox", but it is my greatest hope that we will all work together in some personal way to help protect these irreplaceable and magnificent species of the world.
General Information
Each piece features one animal and is issued in limited editions of 25 platters. Although the central theme of each piece is identical, patterns, colors, and textures may vary between pieces. Platters are 19" in diameter and are issued with a custom designed handwrought iron stand.
Technique
Prior to any actual cutting of glass and kiln work, preliminary design sketches are done. The center area, which focuses on the individual animal, is created by drawing the image in pen and ink. From this drawing, I create a silk screen.
Each piece goes through four firings in a kiln at temperatures ranging from 1500ºF to 1150ºF. In the first and highest firing, the basic shape and color of the piece is created. In subsequent firings, the lusters, dichroic glass, sandblasting and use of various resist techniques are applied.
In the final firing, the gold, copper or silver is painstakingly added by hand. The piece is then placed in a stainless steel mold and slumped to it’s final form.
Design Interpretation
Tiger (edition #1)
The center area features an original pen and ink drawing of a head study of a Bengal Tiger. The four animals depicted in the North, South, East and West sections are motifs found on ancient Indus seals from the Mohenjo-daro and Harappa cities. They represent a Zebu bull, a bison, a rhinoceros, and a unicorn. The signs above each animal are ancient Indus script which dates back to 3000 BCE. Around the rim of the platter is Devanagari Sanskrit (the most ancient form of Sanskrit), which quotes a sentence from naturalist Henry Beston in his book, "The Outermost House" (1928), as follows:
"In a world older and more complete than ours
they move finished, gifted with
extensions of the senses we have lost or
never attained, living by voices we shall never hear".
Of the eight species of Tiger, three are now extinct. The remaining five are seriously endangered due to over hunting and the loss of natural habitat. We must stop the depletion of this magnificent animal. The path ahead is not up to the Tiger, it is up to us. Unless action is taken, future generations will only read about this animal as an ancient symbol of beauty and grace who once lived wild and free.
Elephant (Edition #2)
The center area features an original pen and ink drawing of a head study of an African Elephant. The four masks are interpretations of African designs from the west Africa region. Masks represent the faces of higher beings: of spirits, gods, and ancestors. An African textile pattern is located between the masks. The border herd of elephants and spears at the top and bottom represent the elephants struggle for survival due to illegal poaching.
For centuries, elephants have been exploited: for ivory, as weapons of war, for ceremonial purposes, by the logging industry, and by zoos and circuses. Elephant populations have greatly declined due to habitat destruction, increased agriculture and the bloody ivory trade. Rampant poaching halved Africa’s elephant population from 1.4 million in 1979 to around 600,000 in 1989. They are now listed as endangered species, as is the Asian elephant. As a result of human impact and limited success in preserving their habitats, the number of African and Asian elephants has dropped to a dangerous low. Many efforts are being made to save the elephant from extinction. However, poaching and illegal hunting are still extensive. The elephant is fighting to remain the largest living land mammal on our planet.
Black Rhinoceros (Edition #3)
The center area features an original pen and ink drawing of a head study of a Black Rhino. The face images, surrounding the rhino, are Luba masks from Kinshasa, Africa. Masks represent the faces of higher beings: of spirits, gods, and ancestors. A Bogolan mudcloth textile pattern is located between the masks. The border herd of rhino's and men with spears at the top and bottom represent the rhinos struggle for survival due to illegal poaching.
Once the most numerous of all rhino species, the black rhino has been the target of the greatest hunting pressure of all. In 1970, the world population of black rhinos was 65,000. By 1980, it dropped to 15,000 and today it is thought that fewer than 3,000 black rhinos remain. Rhinos are victims of the animal parts trade and have been illegally hunted nearly to extinction. Poachers have decimated Black Rhino populations throughout Africa and today only isolated fragments remain
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