jacob foran: headspace

'headspace' series by jacob foran, 2010
all images courtesy of stephen brashear


american artist jacob foran held a solo exhibition entitled 'headspace', a series of large
ceramic forms at the university of washington-seattle's 3D4M gallery. arranged in varying
heights of five to ten feet tall, the sculptures largely resemble giant diving bells of bright
and bold colours.

'my work embodies theme of desire and fantasy. influenced by a port-town setting, water
and submarine life have become a potent place of metaphor. physical representations of nautical
exploration symbolize a quest for understanding -- an investigation that is inseparable from my
methodology as an artist and my interest in the subconscious. Imagery of diving gear represents
armor that provides a stable internal environment in a pressure filled atmosphere. Informed by
previous negotiations of strength and fragility, my newest work is compelled by an honor and
celebration of mind and imagination.' - jacob foran

in addition to helmets and armor, foran considers his sculptures to be a form of shelter
and private chambers. the diving bells symbolically represent a barrier between one self
and the pressures of the outside world. though the sculptures are large enough to physically
crawl into, there is no literal point of entry. this, coupled with the playful way in which they
are constructed suggest another form of protection--a barrier built with imagination and fantasy.

the works are entirely hand-made using a coil construction method from the ground up.
foran builds the form from the inside out, pinching and compressing the clay to build a
wall about 3/4-inch thick. details such as nuts and bolts are added after the general shape
is set. the potholes are built outwards before the whole sculpture is fired in a large electric
kiln. after a few days, the form is sanded and prepped for painting. foran worked closely
with a team of glass artists and professional painters to achieve the desired finish.



installation view of 'headspace' series, 2010
ceramic, glass, auto paint, silver leaf



untitled #4, 2010
ceramic, glass, auto paint
5 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft



untitled #3, 2010
ceramic, glass, auto paint
6 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft



untitled #3, detail



untitled #6, 2010
ceramic, glass, auto paint
6 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft



untitled #1, 2010
ceramic, glass, auto paint
5 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft



untitled #1, detail









untitled #7, 2010
ceramic, glass, auto paint
5 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft



untitled #2, 2010
ceramic, glass, auto paint
5 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft



untitled #2, detail






jacob foran in his studio