I grew up in the small, wild town of Greene Maine and spent the formative years of my life exploring the woods and shoreline of the Androscoggin River. Piece by piece, through stories told by my family and friends, I became attuned to the rich history of that land and water, what it was used for and how it was affected by industry and culture. Some stories I heard were concerning, and it bothered me that I was warned not to eat the fish I caught from the grand river I lived next to.
My ceramic sculptures utilize figures and animals. The works express observations of the interaction between humans and the natural environment. I am interested in the narrative potential that figures can have when paired with specific objects. I juxtapose symbols to evoke disturbing, curious, or uncanny imagery. It is in finding a disjointed relationship between figures and their accessories that I revel and snicker. Humor, I hope, is a hook that reels in my audience to look at something more serious than initially implied by my playfully articulated works.
Iconic figures and conventional narratives, as well as cartoons, and popular imagery are subjects that influence my work. I am interested in how icons can act as a surrogate for talking about environmental concerns. Other influences in my work are current day environmental issues. Because of growing up on a 14-mile stretch of a river that requires an oxygen bubbler to prevent the fish from suffocating, I foster environmental awareness. Having lived in proximity to a river that is being revitalized has inspired me to research environmental problems and models for solutions. This research informs the directions of my concepts.
210 Hickory Street
Edinboro, PA 16412
benblam@gmail.com