Seven Seeded Sins

Since the time of ancient civilizations, plants have been used to alter human emotions and moods. For ritualistic, celebratory, medicinal, and even daily purposes, the consumption of mood altering products derived from plants was practice of the Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians and common in ancient Asian, Greek and Roman societies. The human race continues this tradition, and popular culture seems fueled by, and somehwat obsessed with, mood-altering substances.

I am inspired by this relationship between plants and the historical and contemporary human practice of ritual, celebration, and habit. This recent series of cast metal bas-reliefs highlight seven commonly consumed plant-based substaces by contemporary societies. The media of cast metal in bas-relief references ancient cultures and traditions, while the subject of harvest- ready, mood altering plants remind the viewer of the very nature of these popular and, to some, sinful substances.