Gail Scuderi

Artist Statement

Gail Scuderi Artist’s Statement

I am a visual artist who has explored throughout my career the themes of nature, spirituality, community and diversity. My current work is an exploration of the changes in the environment due to climate change, the resulting sea level rise, and its impact on my surroundings. I utilize materials such as clay and glass which are organic by nature and are durable as a sculptural substance.

Mosaics as an art form have a rich history dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. Both clay and glass as an artistic medium survive to tell us stories of the ancient world. It is because of this rich history and durability that I find the mosaic process to be the perfect medium for both my personal work and for work that is created in community for architectural adornment.

I am both a practicing professional artist as well as a teaching artist. Many of the public art installations I have worked on have been made as part of an artist-in residence program. I consider myself a community artist and am most fulfilled when working collaboratively to bring about positive social change through the artistic process.

Description of Proposed work
For this exhibition I am proposing a series of large hand made - relief tiles that feature a variety of labyrinths, both modern and ancient. These tiles will range in size from eight by eight inches to a maximum of twelve by twelve inches.These "finger labyrinths” will be finished with a variety of surface treatments which will provide textural qualities as well as glaze treatments from satin to smooth. They will be framed either in a group or individually. Mosaics will be incorporated into some of the labyrinth tiles as well.

Labyrinths have been used by many different cultures and religions across time. Finger labyrinths or “finger walks” are historically used as a meditative tool that can calm the mind and ease anxiety. They can be utilized in the same way that walking a labyrinth can be used, to center oneself and help create a relaxed meditative state of being.

The submitted photos show a few of the prototype labrynths that are in process. These tiles are a smaller scale than the proposed 12” x12’ tiles for the exhibition. They could also be included for smaller hands if desired.