Three Hundred Karats 2019
Part of Ecocentric Art, aka Neo Materialism, I sculpt images of gemstones and jewels using recycled and reclaimed material. By reforming and re-employing materials, my work reduces, re-uses and up-cycles. Restoring repurposed media inspires and drives my efforts. In utilizing MIG welding, Plasma cutting, Skilsaw, Table and Jigsaw the use of a Diamond Blade is the most useful.
Recycled milk crates and wire have been chosen to represent gemstones. “Three Hundred Karats” measures 24 x 22 x 22 inches. Eternal flames emerge in the transparent facet negative space of jewels which reflect and transfix using diverse media such as discarded wallpaper, tablecloths, curtains, lath & plaster scraps, music manuscripts, franked postal stamps, metal and wood fragments. What begins as refuse is repurposed by transforming base materials into noble objects of value.
‘Odgan’ Brilliant-cut Diamond Quartet 2018
Gods of Fire have made their appearances in cultures throughout history. They have been chosen to represent gems that bring repurposed media back to life. The background brilliance of the recycled fabric disappears behind opaque oil rendering and reappears through transparent acrylic wash. Eternal flames re-emerge in the facets of jewels which reveal and enchant.
Inspiration comes from imagining gemstones on reclaimed materials. This large scale painting in four parts reclaims tablecloth, prom dress and bed sheet measuring 77 x 109 inches. Diverse media such as discarded wallpaper, curtain, graphic posters, upholstery fabric, painting, canvas, commercial art, building lathe and plaster are painting surfaces. By reforming and re-employing, the work fits into the Ecocentric Art Movement to reduce, reuse and up-cycle. Historical and contemporary styles are synthesized by mixing the classical tradition of still-life painting with modernism. The gemstone is still life.
Seven Million Karats 2019
Focusing on the intersection of rummage flotsam and objects d’art, materials change from valuable to worthless and return to valuable again, exploring layers and levels of reality. This installation employs five large scale gemstone sculptures carefully arranged to appear casually tossed throughout the boulder garden in the outdoor park setting.
Gem sculptures are constructed using repurposed wood recovered from construction and remodeling sites. The wooden sculptures measure 40 x 36 x 36 inches. Discarded door hinges are welded together to create a gleaming and reflective jewel. The metal smithing sculpture measures 24 x 24 x 24 inches. Milk crates are cut using a Diamond blade and wired together to measure 24 x 22 x 22 inches each. This overall installation measures 30 x 30 feet and appeared during the Summer of 2019 at the Audubon Center in South Pasadena, California.
Note: The text above was written by the Artist. No modification was made by COCA.
S. P. Harper
United States
Harper studied art at American University in Paris, USC Roski School of Fine Art (BFA) and ArtCenter, Pasadena. After spending 12 years in New York City, Harper returned to Los Angeles to teach and practice Ecocentric art. She is inspired by her grandfather who was a diamantaire (diamond cutter).
Harper has exhibited internationally in galleries and museums. Her work has been included at Neutra Institute Museum, Autry Southwest Museum, TAM: Torrence Art Museum, Irvine Fine Arts Center and MOAH, Museum of Art & History, The Living Room Gallery, W Hotel Hollywood, Brand Library & Art Center, Glendale, and Ely Center of Contemporary Art, New Haven, Connecticut.
Awards and Honors: First Place, “3D Art Exhibition” Irvine Fine Arts Center and Certificate of Achievement, “Water Works” Huntington Art Center. She is published in 101 Contemporary Artists “Artvoices Art Books” and “Circle Quarterly Art Review”, London. Her work is in the collection of Mandy & Cliff Einstein and Glorya Kaufman.