READING ART
READING ART is simple, it’s free, and is meant to enlighten and entertain those who sign up to receive a once a month photo of one of my sculptures, accompanied by a text. This text is not to explain, define, nor defend the art, yet will have some relevance to it.
Reading art is like 'reading' the weather. You have to observe it for a long time, and over a long period of time, until you can predict its flavor, its attitude, its inevitability to stun, to surprise, to anger, to bring pleasure.
What I hope to achieve is for the viewer to "look", to “see”, to "read" the art in a new or meaningful way.
Start READING ART now!
Thank you,
TJ Mabrey
Receive READING ART
POPPY POD
A Continuing Discussion about the Seeds and Pods
of Sculptor TJ Mabrey
Poppies have been referenced in literature since Homer’s writings in Ancient Greece. Papaver somniferum renders brilliant, blood–red flowers, while others are pink, like the soft cheek of a child. These flowers are some of nature’s premier beauties. But that beauty belies the black nature of humans who put the pod of the poppy to malevolent use. The milky latex extracted from the seed pod contains naturally occurring opiates and alkaloids whose pharmacological use, in the form of opium, has been documented since the 16th century. Working in The Golden Triangle of opium trade, Britain engaged in Two Opium Wars during the 1800s that resulted in a lucrative trade agreement with China that would last for 150 years. Greed, power, money, control.
One of four sculptures in the Seeds of War Series by TJ Mabrey White Italian Marble, Iron Element 16 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches
DOA
Patent Pending
A Continuing Discussion about the Seeds and Pods
of Sculptor TJ Mabrey
"We got along without seeds until about 350 million years ago when evolution finally produced one. Now, with few exceptions, we can’t get along without them.
During the decade I have been creating sculptural seeds and pods in marble and bronze, the impetus behind them has changed, but the fascination endures."
–TJ Mabrey
