Work
Darfur Project Artist Statement
Darfur Pendant 2009
The number 300,000 is usually too large to comprehend when it is in the form of digits on paper, or spoken out loud. Then when someone connects that number with human life lost then it is even harder to grasp. According to the United Nations, the death toll from the crisis in Darfur is 300,000 so far. I have designed a series of work that brings awareness to this issue and hopefully leaves a lasting impact.
Through specific materials and forms, I have attempted to display the number of lives lost in a way that is more comprehendible. I chose beads as a material because people around the world can relate to them. Together they will make up the death toll in a way that is not too overwhelming. I will inform the audience that one bead represents a life lost, and then hopefully the display of thousands of beads will leave a lasting impression. The warm Sudanese pallet of beads carries over into each component of the series. The first component of the series is traditional forms of jewelry pieces that celebrate the culture and land in Darfur. Next is the sculptural piece, which provokes thought about how large the number is. Finally I created the pendants; similar to the AIDs ribbons they are meant to be worn in remembrance of the people and to spark dialog about the issue. We should care about the issue because we are all apart of it in some way. We purchase the resources that are the driving force of this issue. We many not be able to do much to stop the crisis, however, we should at least be conscious of what we buy and be aware of the issue.
Through specific materials and forms, I have attempted to display the number of lives lost in a way that is more comprehendible. I chose beads as a material because people around the world can relate to them. Together they will make up the death toll in a way that is not too overwhelming. I will inform the audience that one bead represents a life lost, and then hopefully the display of thousands of beads will leave a lasting impression. The warm Sudanese pallet of beads carries over into each component of the series. The first component of the series is traditional forms of jewelry pieces that celebrate the culture and land in Darfur. Next is the sculptural piece, which provokes thought about how large the number is. Finally I created the pendants; similar to the AIDs ribbons they are meant to be worn in remembrance of the people and to spark dialog about the issue. We should care about the issue because we are all apart of it in some way. We purchase the resources that are the driving force of this issue. We many not be able to do much to stop the crisis, however, we should at least be conscious of what we buy and be aware of the issue.
