Defender

Defender

Inspired by a video I saw online that showed an orangutan literally facing off with a bulldozer that was attempting to level the tree the animal was clinging to. The orangutan stood its ground after frantically measuring his options. The image of him putting his hands on the bulldozer bucket is forever etched in my mind. This is the first exploration of orangutan as I explore the impact of that experience and the devastation palm oil is bringing to the animals in Sumatra and Borneo. The head was constructed with both, loose and more refined approaches to the form. The “rust” quality of the hair was achieved with cold patinas. The fragments were joined together after the firing process and along with the inside, they were gold leafed.

W 10″
D 10″
H 17″

Unique Ceramic Construction: $2400