Shannon Blakey ( he, him )

Currently, my work often begins by me collecting objects through my daily life by me simple discovering them. We all share this ability to have our attention stolen by a form, texture, color or… while simply moving through our day, even if we decide to not give it a second thought. We also, more importantly, share the ability to find meaning through metaphor. These collected objects, or photos taken, are pulled into the studio where they are put through a process of examination and recreation. Beginning the creative process with something found, something discovered and something real, feels increasingly important in a moment where many varying and strong opinions exist over seemingly an increasing number of things.

Casts are often pulled from found objects. This allows me to process my original interest in the objects and through a multi-step process of casting, not only think more deeply about my original interest in the objects, but how these things are often intricately linked to so much more of my world beyond my vision. And, the process of pulling from that which is clearly fixed and tangible only to copy, liquidate, reimagine, and reform this recognizable texture and form into something completely new, I find compelling and powerful. Something that has ripple effects.

It is my hope that individuals that come into contact with these small works may start to recognize some of the same objects I originally found interesting, only to start to ask themselves, Why? Why some of these objects have been selected and even more than that, reimagined and created into something new. If one creative reimagination could spark a wonder or questioning and inspiration could spring from that, my work would be functioning in a spectacular way. If through the processing and creation of this work, my actions and how they may impact others, could help focus my vision and even change small actions, this work has value beyond its individual parts, processes and time.

Shannon Blakey is an artist and educator from Columbia, MO. As a long-time lover of nature and discoveries made from exploring in it, much of Shannon’s sensibilities in making are often pulled from this understanding. With clay being his primary material of choice, Shannon still processes much of his work though his understanding of clay and is fascinated with how a material that takes thousands of years to create, can be used to capture aspects of the current human condition.