Hello!
As a maker in the decorative arts, I always tried to elevate my work by adding content. Whether it was two frogs chatting in a coffee cup or ducks telling a joke to a frog on the inside a bowl, it added meaning to an object. Imagine. Meaning transports the decorative arts into the realm of Fine Arts; that is where we should be.
When I was making The Hug—a forged copper orange bowl– I was thinking of my friend Scott. Scott did very fine design work on our invitations for many years at Allan Graphics in Kingston. He did the design work for the online book called The Find. Scott admired one of the pieces in that book and mentioned it to me. It was Maureen’s forged copper Morning Orange Bowl. So, making one for Scott was my pleasure.
Near the end of endless changes and corrections to The Find, Scott gave me a hug and a nod of approval.
I was able to forge a hug into his orange bowl rim. A small amount of meaning, but an essential part too. Art goes to work.
Kind thoughts,
Harlan
Comments 10
Wonderful work Harlan – I didn’t realize that you were such an accomplished metal worker
What a kind uplifting thought and product.How lovely to hear your inspiration and thought process and to see your beautiful piece. Lucky you and lucky Scott
I love your gift to Scott. The hug is a refreshing work!
So very beautiful in every sense, Harlan.
Libby Crombie
Harlan you continue to be an inspiration to many of us. Indeed a true artist with a
special talent. Don’t ever stop creating!!
Harlan,, Beautiful as always, your work has always carried so much content Your art has always been a great inspiration to me and so many others
Its good to hear your working,, what else you gonna do?
As always, your work/play makes me smile and inspires me to try to grasp the creative sinews that hold us, as individuals and as community. Thank you. Yet again.
I’m always excited to read your updates and learn what you’re up to. The Hug is worthy of the title and oranges are worthy of The Hug.
well of course with my name and the proclivities that go along with it, I think anything titled THE HUG must be special and in this case, even more astonishingly so… your visual inventiveness — always in terms of making something REAL out of what you imagine — always delights the eye of the beholder and this lovely object is no exception. STILL hoping to come visit you before the snow flies but will say so well in advance..
This piece is a great comfort. Lightly embrace simple beauty is a good coping mechanism when confronting the state of the world right now.