art delivery : 12.02.23

Shells? Coral? Urban trash? Kinda. Today’s ‘member in the spotlight’ is North Carolina based artist (and art professor) Kelly Sheppard Murray. So, what is all of this candy-colored goodness? I’m going to let Kelly explain:

“I fashion a wide range of polymorphic, multicolored structures that have their roots in natural forms, drawing from the shapes of plants, moss, lichen, fungi, shells and geological forms but not typically replicating specific species or locations. I observe urban development in the nearby surroundings, where I see the devastating human impact on the natural habitats that we feel so disassociated from. My observations at a changing landscape has fueled my desire to observe and study the small and often ephemeral species in the natural world that demonstrates strength and resilience because it persists even in harsh and inhospitable locations. I want to engage the viewer to think about their relationship with the environment by making nature inspired forms from industrial materials. I use readily available materials used for domestic construction which I form and then layer encaustic wax paint to transform the otherwise ordinary materials into objects reminiscent of the natural world.”

Beautiful to look at, beautiful message. You can find Kelly on Instagram at @kellysheppardmurray_art.

Have a wonderful weekend ~ Danielle