A treasure hunter and collector of all things abandoned, beautiful and creepy good! My incorporation of mixed-media artifacts and once-live and sometimes still-alive materials are the makeup and basis of my assemblage sculpture.
Broken toys and tattered finery were always an attraction for me. Having spent a lot of time traveling the East Texas and North Louisiana countryside with my grandmother, I began amassing a collection of objects that I would write stories about and photograph in themed settings. My large extended family, many having been born at the end of the previous century encouraged my interest and I never left any of them, without having been gifted some of their stashed-away loot. These things became my fifirst pieces of art. Broken teacups and plates, discarded crockery and silver pieces were used as the mounting pieces and sculpture would evolve from them. Surprise dolls, plastic and glass figurines, old taxidermy and seashells, as well anything sparkly or glittery.
Many times the creations tell their own stories or spark the imagination to create one for them. Recycling items and repurposing items to give them another life and create smiles and wonder is the gift that Beauties In A Bottle gives. Eye-catching shiny costume jewelry mixed with live and almost alive plants, mounted or planted into antique and vintage serving pieces and containers is how I started getting into terrariums. I am still a lover of terrariums and plants. Like many artists, we all have many loves.
Antique photos of people and animals and events are inspiration to me. I can imagine as I create, what lives the people in them might have led or the things they cherished. Happy and sad. The Memory Boxes that have been created are made from old jewelry, hat or tobacco boxes and baskets. Inside are the accumulation and collections of someone’s special moments and pleasures. Every nook and cranny and drawer or cubby inside holds someone’s secret surprise and love.
My husband Volker and my mother Charlotte and I relocated to Kenwood this past September from Houston, Texas. We are proud to be a part of the warm community here and all three of us are thriving.
Christopher Rich AEHK Gallery Page
Exhibits Featuring Kenwood Enclave Artists in August 2022:
Creative Grape (3100 3rd Ave N) – Richard Pollin, Lisa Presnail, Luci Westphal
Woodfield Fine Art Gallery (2323 Central) – various members
“Bookish” Morean Arts Center Members Show (719 Central Ave) – various members
Upcoming Artist Enclave Events:
Monthly AEHK Members Meeting – Grand Central Brewhouse – August 9, 6:30pm
Third Thursday Art Social – Creative Grape – August 18, 6:00 pm (public)
