Rachel Mathes

Recomposed

 

Artist's Statement

 

Matter exists endlessly in infinite combinations. Natural cycles of dispersal and reformation of matter defy human ideals of permanence, which we struggle with as living things intimately aware of our own imminent decomposition.

In death we become something else: a meal, a monument, soil that will host new life. The clay in these sculptures has been mined from the earth and recomposed into the form of feet. They are tree stumps in the swamp; ready for their own decomposition. Soon the clay will deteriorate away from this human-tree hybrid form. The feet have been submitted to the swamp to begin their decay before exhibition. The industrial grey sculptures are filled with organic elements visually bridging the gap between man-made and natural. Everything we are or ever make will eventually meet the same process of deterioration and decomposition. After the exhibit ends, my unfired and fragile clay feet will be placed back into the environment and decompose quickly. For a while, they will exist only as a discoloration in the swamp before time and weather disperse the clay that was once human feet.