B-mix Porcelain, underglaze, cone 6, 11.5 x 11 x 11.25 inches, 2015
Frost Porcelain, underglaze, cone 6, 10 x 7 x 4.5 inches, 2016
Coleman Porcelain, crystalline glaze, cone 6, 9.5 x 20 x 10 inches, 2012
Coleman Porcelain, cone 10, 13.5 x 14 x 13.75 inches, 2012
Frost, Coleman, B-mix Porcelain, crystalline glaze, cone 6, 6ft x 25ft x 4.5in, 2012
Coleman, Frost, B-mix Porcelain, cone 6-10, Insulation Styrofoam, Velcro, clamp lamps, 6 ft x 16 ft, 2015
Coleman, Frost Porcelain, cone 6, insulation Styrofoam, Velcro, 6 ft x 4ft x 4.25in, 2015
Coleman, Frost Porcelain, cone 7, underglaze, rare earth magnets, 6 x 4 x 16ft, 2015
Coleman, Frost, B-mix Porcelain, cone 6, underglaze, crystalline glaze, 7ft x 6ft x 4.25in, 2016
Coleman, Frost, B-mix Porcelain, cone 6, underglaze, crystalline glaze, rare earth magnets, 5.5ft x 5.75ft x 4.25inches, 2016
Artist Statement
I conceptualize the ocean as a surreal metaphor for the subconscious. I view the ocean as a flat blue surface from above, but know that below the surface there exists beauty, mystery, fear, intricate social relationships, and potential danger. The ocean is much more complicated below the surface than what it appears from above, much like the human psyche.
Semiotics and how nature can be a symbolic visual language to describe the human experience and emotive inner world intrigues me. The abstractions of nature— its forms and shapes— describe emotional states and create a dialogue between the artwork and the viewer. My work intertwines fact and fiction. The shapes and forms originate from my knowledge of biology, but I do not pursue to render specific species, but rather pure abstractions of forms in nature from a variety of habitats spliced, collaged, combined with mixed media, inspired by conscious and subconscious patterns that evolve. I objectively sculpt my pieces with the façade of realism, but most of what I create is made of fantasy, science fiction, and the interpretation from my viewers.
My ceramic work is made mainly in porcelain clay because the smooth surface quality of porcelain refers to something mysterious, tactile, uncanny, and “other,” which greatly intrigues me. I would like the viewer of my work to examine the works’ otherness and to escape into the possibility of imagination it creates.
-- Danielle Wood
Bio
Danielle Wood creates ceramic installations and sculptures that abstract forms found in nature. She views the ocean as a metaphor for the subconscious and explores the dynamics of social relationships through her artwork. Her artwork is always made in relation to it self, there are always multiples interacting with each other.
In her installations, she is interested in creating spaces that surround the viewer and make them a participant in the space by removing the artwork from the still pedestal and placing it in the viewers environment. Surrealism and creating a suspended liminal space much like the ocean is an inspiration for her.
She received her Masters of Fine Arts from New Mexico State University in 2012 and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University in 2006. She completed a residency in ceramics at Anderson Ranch Art Center in 2014. Her work has been on display this year at Spark! Mesa’s Festival of Creativity at the Mesa Art Center, the Arizona State University Ceramic Studio Tour, INFLUX Cycle 6, a solo show at Eye Lounge Gallery in downtown Phoenix, AZ, Shemer Art Center, and at the Tempe Center for the Arts. She has shown nationally, regionally, and has work in the permanent collection at New Mexico State University Art Museum.