Artist Statement

In this series of five nest pieces, I explored ideas of safety, stability and comfort (or lack of) on physical, emotional, and global levels. This work represents the ways I have personally taken refuge in the past and present as well as our nation’s fear driven need for “homeland security” as a result of 9/11.

Both existing natural forms and personal experience inspire my metal sculptures. I reference animal, plant and human skeletal systems and shapes when they capture the same feelings inherent in past experiences I am currently investigating. Many of the vessel pieces are formal explorations of these objects and help me understand how the images can be used in more involved work. The music boxes and nest series focus on capturing the resulting perceptions of particular situations. Although I generally focus on the residual feelings and emotions, in some pieces I illustrate a more literal translation of the experience itself.

I was initially trained as a jeweler, which ingrained the importance of pristine craftsmanship that I try to honor in my hollowware. I primarily use traditional techniques of cold forming and fabricating brass, copper, and silver sheet metal. I contrast the simple organic shapes with detailed textures achieved by casting and/or electroforming carved wax elements. Although I place a strong emphasis on metal processes, my primary objective is to develop the concept of the sculpture. Therefore, I use the skills I have as a platform and introduce new materials whenever necessary to more clearly illustrate my ideas.

BIO

Catherine Grisez was born and raised in Canton, Ohio. She went to college in Providence, Rhode Island and spent one of the summers taking classes in Cortona, Italy through a program at the University of Georgia. After graduating she fled the U.S. for Spain to be an apprentice to a silversmith in Barcelona. When it didn’t work out due to timing issues she left for the Canary Islands to get away from the unexpected cold fall of northern Spain. After several months working on boats she left for West Africa and traveled around Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, and Morocco. Nine months later, broke, and rather disillusioned, she returned to the U.S. and eventually ended up on the west coast. She currently lives and works as a studio artist in Seattle, Washington (still broke but no longer disillusioned).

Résumé

Education

Selected Exhibitions

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Professional Experience