The theme of this exhibition is Indigo Blue Sacred Wisdom of our Islands and Ocean.

The work that I have submitted are driven ideas being generated by a creative and archeological interest in the land, the sea and life here on Guam for the last 33 years.

 

I am interested in understanding the migration patterns of humans from Asia to the Pacific and beyond. History presents a continual wave of different peoples moving by land and by boat across the diaspora of the Pacific, populating Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. Island hoping from Taiwan to New Zealand, to Rapa Nui and beyond. Sometimes vast voyages over open oceans ended up leading to new discoveries. Recent research has led to the possibility and probability that Micronesia, the northern Marianas islands and Guam were perhaps settled first as early as 2200BC. How many waves of migrant explorers came and went? What humans, objects, food and stuff made this journey? How did they travel? The idea that as humans we are all one, as this process keeps cycling over and over in time with new overlay. In this long timeline, we are but a speck of sand, all individually different yet all the same, always evolving in this long process. This is my realm of imagination 

 

My idea for this show is to create an installation of works based on the proa/ canoe/boat forms that I have been working on. I have new forms in process in various media and plan on hanging these forms from the ceiling space in the gallery. There will be light, sound, earth and water invoked in the installed work. My competency to complete this work is based on the forms chosen as a backup entry for this show.

 

The pieces I have selected for this show are from a continuing series of boat/canoe/proa forms.  I continue to construct these primarily in a local hybrid clay. Whether, human, animal, plant or other, the local ecosystem and migrating human systems are inextricably intertwined and filled with anthropomorphic agency and spirit. The idea is that the boat/vessel contains the seeds of possibilities. What these are and how they manifest are up to you. I have also chosen some old work that is driven by the land. Utilizing native fauna and commenting on the fragility of pollinators here on island. I have also included two ceramic tile painting drawings from my Navigator series from the early 1990’s. These symbolically address the angst of living in the diaspora and coming to an understanding of cultural diversity, the expanse of the environment and travel by water. Thank you for your interaction. For more see below

 

Lewis Rifkowitz is an educator /artist who has spent the last 33 years as Professor of Art at the University of Guam. He earned his BFA at the Kansas City Art Institute and his MFA from Montana State University.  Teaching all aspects of the three dimensional Arts, Ceramics, Sculpture and 3D Design while initially challenging, has been rewarding, living the philosophy of life long learner and growth as an artist and human being. Island living has its challenges and rewards. The tropical light, colors and undersea environs have been a source of inspiration. Cultural diversity, great food, warm weather, oceans, beaches, sunrise and sunsets are some of the perks keeping him on the island. 

 

Clay as a material is his first love, his main addiction. There is nothing about the spectrum of clay that he cannot get excited about. Rifkowitz makes both vessels and sculpture, straddling these traditions. The forms are an abstract dialog between the space within and the form that contains the space. Color and texture is utilized to enhance these spatial relationships. 

 

All ceramics and sculptures start with the process of drawing. All drawing starts with a line. The dialog of drawn form is similar to that of sculpted space. Rifkowitz’s forms emerge with no preconceived idea, instead there is a creative game of play; looking seeing, adjusting, changing, relying on instinct to continue this journey to a finished point in time. Rifkowitz’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and is held in many private collections.

 

rifkowitz@triton.uog.edu

 

rifkowitz@yahoo.com