A Natural History of the Senses Relief Sculpture


A Natural History of the Senses Relief Sculpture

Brown Yarn, White Yarn, Maroon Yarn, Various Shades of Brown/Tan Cardstock, Foam Board, Tracing Paper, Gel Medium, Hot Glue, Masking Tape
14in. x 1in. x 18in.


Detail Pictures


In Progress Pictures 


Artist Statement

The relief = sculpture explores the sense of touch. I based my work on the work of Diane Ackerman's Natural History of the Senses book, specifically from the "First Touch" chapter. Basically, the chapter is about how important touch is for a newborn baby, hence the push for parents to hold their baby, skin to skin, right after they are born. Based on the information from the chapter, I decided to use paper coils, that were inspired by Ellen Gallagher, as well as yarn, which was inspired by Margery Amdur, to give the different textures of skin; some skin is rough while others are soft. My goal with the piece is that, when the viewer runs their hand over it, they feel the difference inclines/declines, just as a person or a baby. The rectangular shape of the piece itself is to represent the EKG machine Ackerman mentioned in the beginning, showing that the heart rate went up when the person touched the newborn baby. 

Artist Inspiration

Margery Amdur

Ellen Gallagher

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