Random Art Attack VI

So today's art attack is a piece that attacks on a different level than the others (okay, so most of them aren't all that aggressive.) But this one is a sculpture of me...

I started working with the Edmonton-based artist Richard Tosczak in 2004, after we acted together in Arthur Miller's The Crucible at the Walterdale Playhouse. He was John Proctor; I was Abigail Williams. Interesting dynamic there, but the professional relationship we established
carried over to our many artist-model sessions during that summer. I left for England before he could finish but I have hopes now that I'm back in the country.

Our sessions were intense and I came away exhausted, like I had just finished a gym work-out. It took great concentration to hold this pose, but my muscles developed a memory and Richard's frequent exclamations of "Hold it! Did you move your hands? It looks different. Move your elbow out again!" certainly pushed me to get into a greater state of stillness.

It was remarkable seeing the clay take shape; muscles and sinews, tension and weight coaxed alive under Richard's master touch. I would look over at Richard working away on the inanimate form and imagine my clay doppleganger rising to her clay feet and towering over me. It was definitely a unique experience!

Richard was recently commissioned to create a sculpture for Hawrelak park so look for that next year.