Betsy Kluga

Artist Statement

There is a Chinese curse..."May he live in interesting times..."
We live in interesting times, like it or not. They are times of danger & uncertainty; but are also more open to the creative energy of men than in any other time in history.'
Robert Kennedy, Cape Town, South Africa - 1966

My studio is in the Sierra foothills in the forest, overlooking a lake.
I made several pieces during the 2021 & the 2024 fires. The helicopters are sucking water from the lake by my studio. The borate bombers flying low. 2-go bags ready. The phones don't work. No internet or cellphone service.

Throughout all this, making art has sustained & grounded me. I sculpt in concrete, metal, local wood, paper & found objects. The found objects are often incorporated into the armature. For instance, a limb can become an arm or leg, or a wasp bole becomes a face. I parge the surface with pigmented cements or paint part of the figures or clad them with 100% cotton rag paper. Then orange, linseed & mineral oils are applied multiple times for months and dried. Finally the pieces are stained with penetrating clear stains & coated with several layers of bees wax & mineral oil.

My work has changed. I simplify. I adapt. I now allow the materials to dictate the process & influence the pieces. Some of the work hangs and slowly turns in the ambient breeze. These pieces are gestural indicators of the mind-body-spirit. The figure becomes a metaphor for our personal & universal dramas.

Oddly, all my work during these stressful times has propelled me to a higher plateau. The joy of creating has overcome all this adversity.