CHRISTINE KOSIBA •   Brevard, NC

I have always been attracted to the process of sculpting clay; the tactile give and take, the immediate response of the material…. malleable, spontaneous, and filled with infinite possibility. Clay grounds me, yet allows my ideas to take flight. The natural world has been my primary influence and inspiration. My focus on myth, imagery, narrative, and archetypal energies blur for me the lines between human and animal, and shared stories emerge in each piece. Animal metaphors convey the human condition and also speak to the interconnectedness of all living things. My work is influenced by the visceral need I believe burns in us to reclaim and experience this connection. My sculpture develops intuitively and organically from clay coils and slabs of clay. I work quickly, and purposefully leave finger marks to convey gestural spontaneity. I often apply multiple layers of colors and treatments, and approach surface finish in a painterly fashion. Found objects may accent, embellish, and define the work. Each piece has its own evolution and story which guides its ultimate form and finish.