The Art Museum is pleased to present a solo exhibition of recent work by acclaimed artist, Alex Buchanan.

ARTIST STATEMENT

While viewing my sculptures, it's sometimes difficult to see that the core material used was considered waste. Retired tugboat towing rope, construction culls, iron rod, and stainless steel shackles all headed for an end of life disposal.  By taking these materials in that exact state of dismissal and organizing them into patterns, I ask you to look again and determine whether what we are viewing should have even been considered a discard. Part of our surmounting waste problem stemming from rapid industrialization and overconsumption is because we fail to view beauty and purpose in materials after they have completed the tasks we expected them to do.

I believe the ropes I chose that were replaced by the maritime industry, are being done so at their richest aesthetic stage, and have only just begun their journeys as a peak grade textile. Patinas from stress and wear of the industrious nature act as scribed tales about the material's life and environment.  The surfaces soften and become more tactilely pleasing for a gazing touch.  This transition ironically pays homage to the industry in which the material originated while suggesting we also consider the supporters of such a conquesting field.  The ethnographic qualities of field-related knots amplify forms reminiscent of braided hair, dimity patterns, and stitching found in marine culture on land.  This offers additional delicate and refined perspectives and acts as an important alkalizer to the harsh problems we know as piles of plastic.
- Alex Buchanan