In the sculptor's
words...
The dragon. What a strange and
wonderful reflection of the inner workings of our own minds. Sometimes
a symbol of good fortune and sometimes a bringer of awesome destructive power.
Guardian of treasure and devourer of virginal maidens, the dragon in flight
is the ultimate symbol in the world of fantasy. To conquer this
beast you must be the most heroic of heroes and be able to face down your darkest fears.From Vikings in Scandinavia
to Aztecs in South America, from the coast of Ethiopia to the sands of Arabia, from the
inlands of China to the islands of Japan virtually every culture on earth has a version of
the dragon in its mythology. In its different aspects the dragon
has been made responsible for controlling the Earth’s waters, eclipses, people’s
destinies, fortunes both good and ill, guarding treasures both sacred and secular and in
its western, heraldic incarnation, a symbol of power, wisdom and astuteness.
“Abigail’s Dragon” falls into this western, heraldic
tradition.
"Abigail's Dragon" - childhood image or serious
grown- up sculpture? At shows I often hear, "Oh, Daddy (or Mommy) look at the
dragon!" Kids are so pure and unreserved in their emotions and I feel their
excitement at the core of my being. When I sculpted this piece I had the same sculptural
concerns that I have for each and every sculpture I create. Balance, rhythm, movement. Is
every angle dynamic? Are there any views that are uninteresting or visually
"flat"? Does the composition work from above, below and all around? Giving
"Abigail's Dragon" it's usually long tail was a solution to a specific question.
How do I make this creature fly? And I feel that the solution works because little
children pull at their parents and say "Oh, look at the dragon!" Childhood
image? For sure. Grown-up serious sculpture? Definitely!
A tabletop version is also available Click
here! |
