Organic sculptures of Leigh Taylor Mickelson (USA)
« My ceramic sculpture explores the different components of self, sexuality and family, and how these components relate and conflict with one another. I use forms from nature, especially ones found in plant life, as a means of expressing these components. Being full of dichotomy, the elements of natural forms act as a metaphor for the spiritual, emotional and physical extremes that exist within our selves, our love relationships and our family units.
The Lure and Botanical Duet series give homage to one of the most recent inspirations for my work: a plant’s will to pollinate. For me, the private “business” of flowering plants reveals a world that mimics human interaction to a fascinating degree. In addition, the forms found inside plants, once magnified, divulge a beauty that is regrettably unseen by the naked eye. In my work, I aim to capture the essence of these organic forms, reveal their beauty, and hence celebrate nature’s will to attract and therefore produce. »