Alisa Looney

“Hidden Carnival”

Title: Tree Guardian-Wall Wave Dimensions: 12 h x 3.75 w x 3.75 d inches
Medium: Enamel on Steel
Techniques: Steel: Plasma cut, ground, hammered & welded.
Liquid Enamels: ground coat, granular spray, sgraffito, & watercolor enamels, kiln-fired.

Theme

When I received the theme "Hidden Carnival," I first thought of an old-time town carnival, and also considered the Mardi Gras and its colorful celebration before lent. The word hidden conjured up hidden parts of ourselves, that we have kept tucked away. For me, this has been my feminine side. I do experience direct access to my feminine through my deep connection to nature, and care for the earth. I decided to embrace and celebrate these unseen mysteries of life and nature in this piece.

Sculptural Form

This sculptural steel form, which I am calling a "Wall Wave", is made using a shape that I have used previously in a large brooch and a much larger wall piece. I have wanted to turn it into a circular form for the wall, and this project moved me to finally do this, as the image could be partially hidden inside the wave. As expected it was a challenge to draw and paint within the wave shape, but by moving slowly and carefully, it was possible.

Enamel Image

The Tree Guardian, human and tree combined, has been coming to me through sketches for quite some time, largely inspired by my embodiment practice of moving and sketching with nature. This form has arms and branches actively reaching up into the sky, and legs and roots reaching down to the nourishing mycelium network. On an unseen spiritual level, the guardian is connected to all life, embracing the heavens and grounding toward the center of the earth. Hand painted with layered watercolor enamels, the rich carnival-like colors and textures depict the energy and celebration of life in the natural world. As the viewer passes by, the tree guardian and surrounding landsca[e is revealed from behind the wave.

www.alisalooney.com
Instagram: @alisalooney
Facebook: Alisa Looney