Meander
To meander is to follow a winding or intricate course. A river’s channel can meander in sinuous curves and a person can meander as they wind along a path without an urgent destination. This abstract work takes inspiration from the intricate patterns found in the natural world, such as the rippled sandbars formed by the meanders of the Buffalo River, the curving grain that rings old oak trees, and the topographical contours that stratify the Ozark mountains. Every shape in this composition was meticulously formed by hand using soft slabs of clay, and the composition was gradually built section by section. The shapes accumulate into patterns that invoke movement, growth, and possibility. The viewer’s eyes wander through its sweeping lines and rounded forms, connecting the complex composition to the varied textures and patterns of the natural world.
Meander is located in the lobby of the AC Hotel in Bentonville, AR. The work is made in 141 uniquely shaped sections. Four different types of glazed stoneware clay are used in this work, creating a palette of soft, natural tones.