Trish Dehls

“Magnificant Pandemonium”

I started the challenge with a study of definitions of each word individually and then with a look at images representing Pandemonium and Magnificent. I was initially drawn to chaos theory on the cosmic level and also explored the microscopic level, thinking about the status of the Pandemic and the image of the COVID molecule with the resulting chaos. I struggled with “Magnificent” and kept wanting to find a way to bring the theme closer to my own personal experiences and understanding. I am a music teacher in my daily professional life. This time of virtual teaching/learning has been full of challenges. As our school buildings have been re-opening I have been struck by the exquisite sights and sounds of children at play, sights and sounds that I had been deeply missing during COVID lock down and restrictions.

In my mind, children at play are both magnificent in their joy and freedom and the ensuing chaos is pandemonium.

I began by sketching many images of children playing in a variety of ways- transferring to painting on steel using a variety of china paints mixed with paraffin oil.  I created 13 miniature paintings,which, when I viewed them as a group, the image of a carousel came to me. That thought brought me to a childhood toy- a record player with a Magic Mirror topper- the carousel concept was solidified.

I went through many iterations of the carousel- finally settling on creating a wooden base attached to a small turntable. The posts are heavy gauge copper wire. I enameled a frame for each painting and attached them to the posts. I shaped and enameled a copper disk to allude to canvas circus tents and created an enameled flag to proudly fly above the topper. The topper jingles when turned or shaken.

The challenges were many- the paintings had to be fired many times with much experimentation for colors and definition. My kiln struggled and led me to getting a new kiln while the old one was being repaired.It was winter and I was drawn to painting bare trees and dark colors. I struggled to find the depth of color and emotions that I was looking for.

I experimented to find ways to create a stable, moving turning piece that was tall. I played with a variety of ways to show each painting individually that still worked within a larger framework.

I truly enjoyed this challenge. My piece is quirky and interesting to experience.

Magnificent Pandemonium- approx 16” tall 3 ½ in base, enamel, copper, steel, wood

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