Elizabeth Amidon – Artist Statement

Concept motivates my work with materials serving as inspiration.
Trained in both traditional and non-traditional methods I am free to
use whatever is needed to execute an idea.   I am passionate
about research and pushing the concept thru material selection and
fabrication.  In pondering and listening to our culture and society I
begin the development of my ideas. Looking for poetic answers,
building visual clues that metaphorically communicate intent.

New and recycled materials are used turning their application into
actions. These actions become verbs and are used as substitutes
for emotions. Shredding, tying, gluing, felting and shrinking are
some examples.  Substituting for emotions such as betrayal, anger,
resentment, and low self-esteem.  Applying these actions to a
concept like gender and identity for example creates a strong
message embedded both formally and viscerally into the work. 

Interesting the viewer in both the visceral and the formal elements I
hope to draw the audience into both the object and the concept.

Selecting materials and objects already fabricated and in most
cases used and discarded I build my visual vocabulary.  Bringing to
my work an existing emotional content allows for the memory or
"fingerprint of the object" to become part of the work.  This idea of
re-fabricating and re-inventing is a major part of my work. 

I will continue to be an observer of the human condition looking for
ways in which to interpret and discuss the world thru my work.