ARTIST STATEMENT

I have been influenced by the Japanese concept of wabi sabi. This aesthetic includes asymmetry, irregularity, simplicity, economy, modesty, intimacy and appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes. Stone is a perfect media to express this aesthetic, starting with the natural simplicity of the boulder. It is difficult to improve upon the beauty of a natural object, but I strive to bring out the stone’s elegant form, while maintaining the sense of discovery and surprise when exploring the variations within the stone.

Stone is among the oldest of sculptural materials and might seem irrelevant in a petrochemical world, but people react to stone from an ancient place within. It brings them back to simpler times, with forms and textures not pulled from a machine mold, and they are drawn to touch and caress the surfaces.

Website: ken-barnes.com