COLLABORATIVE ART
CO-LABS
I have always loved the functional aspect of craft: art that DID something in addition to being beautiful. For several years I've been trying to create an art form that was beautiful to look at but that also "did" something rather abstract: I wanted it to help people's hearts and souls cope with life's challenges.
My solution has been "Co-Labs: Owner-Collaborative Artworks". While both my "Seeker" and "Interiors" series stand on their own as pieces of art, they also serve as focal points for special concerns in life. Each interactive piece of art conceals subtle hidden pockets, sliding panels and unexpected vessels; they offer relevant images, text and objects while encouraging the owner to contribute significant personal items and insights of their own. I consider my "Co-Labs" to be works in progress which their owners, my unknown collaborators, continually enrich with their own personality.