Mattox, Kathryn M. Fenix Fire. 2016. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
My body of work was inspired by the myth of the phoenix and my desire to personify the classical element of fire. My fascination with phoenix imagery was sparked through my study of medieval Bestiaries. Bestiaries are manuscripts depicting the medieval belief about the natural world of beasts and birds, real and imaginary. The phoenix is described as a bird that when it reaches the end of its long life, builds a funeral pyre for itself and using the rays from the sun to set it ablaze. The flames consume the bird and after a period of time the phoenix is reborn from the ashes. The phoenix is used as symbol of the sun as well as an allegory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through my studies, I have grown a deeply spiritual connection with the phoenix and it began the development of a character that would evolve into the Phoenix Warrior, also referred as the Crimson Lady or Phoenix Child. Through this character study, I created a combination of pedestal pieces and wearable adornment pieces for my Phoenix Warrior in hopes to show the viewer a part of her world. I choose to work with metals because it is one of the most challenging and rewarding mediums I have used. It involves a great deal of critical thinking and problem solving, as well as a lot of patience and time. When working with metals, I physically develop my pieces with my hands thus giving me a harmonious connection with my work. I used various metalsmithing techniques in the creation of my pieces, from fabricating to lost-wax casting. These casted elements often portray a pair of hands. These hands signify the Phoenix Warrior‘s relationship with fire and also serve as an example of how I use my hands, with the help of fire, to create my pieces. I wish to continue delving into this world of the phoenix through subsequent work. I plan on doing character studies involving other classical elements of air, water and earth.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR N Fine Arts > NB Sculpture N Fine Arts > NK Decorative arts Applied arts Decoration and ornament |
| Divisions: | Radford University > College of Visual and Performing Arts > Department of Art |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Aug 2016 16:46 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Apr 2023 19:22 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/265 |
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