Warriors
The Warrior Series exemplifies the skills, mindset, and tactics necessary to create balance and trust. I sculpted stylized facial expressions to illustrate the meditative mindset needed before the battle. The carved helmets morph into Tiki gods, which symbolize protection and a summoning of the spirits to aid the Warriors in future conflicts. This series was inspired by my love of Polynesian mythology and Hawaiian Koa elite warriors. Paul Bellardo’s 1974 series Heads of the Universe has also left a lasting impression on me.
The Warrior Series was created through a combination of throwing clay on the potter’s wheel in two parts, carving and then glaze firing to a high temperature. This makes the sculptures impervious to the elements so they can be displayed either outdoors or indoors.