Journey of the Soul

Abstract

My work is mainly motivated by questions about the reasons for living and the complexity of the universe. I believe we all follow an individual path in life to reach our spiritual goal. I see life not only as the journey of the soul but as the assembly of a perpetual spiritual game, which continues past death into multiple reincarnations. The movement is forward and upward; on our way we go through circles, spirals, ups and downs, trying to focus on our goal. I have a special need to indicate the importance and richness of movement within the rigid metal material. The illusion of the victory of energy over matter is employed here too: a bronze figure floating in air; a person climbing a tree or standing on stairs but actually holding them up. Ambition, striving, and aspiration—depicted metaphorically with ropes, ladders, and stairs—are ways of trying to overcome the restrictions of matter to free our soul imprisoned in a physical body. By using springs, I incorporate movement into bronze works and enhance further the emphasis on energy. [End Page 32] Click for larger view Figure 1 Creativity (2002), Courtesy of Tess DeGange, Seven-O-Seven Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico. [End Page 33] Click for larger view Figure 2 Balancing (2000), Courtesy of Tess DeGange, Seven-O-Seven Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico. [End Page 34] Click for larger view Figure 3 State of Mind (2001), Courtesy of Tess DeGange, Seven-O-Seven Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico. [End Page 35] Click for larger view Figure 4 Sky is the Limit (1997), Courtesy of Tess DeGange, Seven-O-Seven Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico. [End Page 36] Click for larger view Figure 5 Stairs of Life (1998), Courtesy of Tess DeGange, Seven-O-Seven Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico. [End Page 37] Click for larger view Figure 6 Write and Read (2004), Courtesy of Tess DeGange, Seven-O-Seven Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico.