OBJECTS

Standing in the shower trying to wash the 100-degree film of North Texas heat off my body a reoccurring thought took some form. Image is shaped by the illusion of layering like clothing on a body, while object has the often-uncomfortable directness of presence. Both "image and object" like "clothed and naked" only allude to the accumulated experience. The depth takes place beneath the surface in realms we will never fully comprehend.

Tracy Hicks




American Gothic
1991

This object related body of work drives my work.

Heart Felt
1986

During the mid-eighties I began an investigation of the correlation and
juxtaposition between objects worn by use.

Trojan Decoy
1989
Bait Jar
1986
Bait Jar
1986
opposite side
Lace Drawers
1987
Clear Cut
1985
DMA collection
Clear Cut
detail
Clear Cut
detail
Obscure Cure
1987
Obscure Cure
1987
Anyone Time
1988

I still enjoy this work, both in revisiting the old work and in making new "found art".
For instance the following "Library" is literally the library in one end of my studio where
objects accumulate like books in a personal library.

LIBRARY
1998
LIBRARY
detail
AT ODDS
Entwined

Why I've chosen old worn objects
rather than new or salvaged forms of the electronic information age often perplexes me.

THELMA'S SWORD

Yet my interest is innately drawn to the human wear shown in the found objects.

BLUE BALL EXERCISE
BLUE BALL EXERCISE
detail

Objects are inherently symbols of their utility and history.
For instance a three prong Louisiana frog gig is also Neptune's trident. Objects evolve into
symbols through a process of forming mental images. A hoe is a hoe, but even the alliteration
of that phrase creates a mental image of ill repute.

LITTLE TIME

Some remnant of life is held in the worn object.

LITTLE TIME
detail
SPIRIT AND SUBSTANCE

on the left..... cast bronze pressed flowers
on the right.... a loaf of bread being eaten by weevils

BY FEEL

Beneath the shell embedded in plaster is a Braille alphabet behind glass.

SOWER
TITS
Prey/Predator/Prey
1992
HOURGLASS
1992
Influence
1992

The combination of used objects each loaded with personal symbols and interpretations
into a single piece of art reflects a life paralleled in the wear of the individual objects.

Wait Bait Boat
2000
Wait Bait Boat
2000
JUNGLE BOOK
HOME
Tracy Hicks
223 North Shore
Dallas, TX 75216
214 948 0609