In August of 2019, I was listening to the radio while driving when a report came on regarding recent studies showing that over the past century 3 Billion birds have disappeared from the planet. That number took my breath away and I pulled over to listen to the full report making sure I had heard correctly. As a result of climate change, conditions in our environment has resulted in species disappearing at an alarming rate. It was that number, 3 billion, that was both terrifying and compelling. I had been circling around several works that expressed my dismay with our inability to cope with these environmental changes. By singling out just Birds I was able to imagine a piece that addressed the disappearance of these beautiful species in a way that links to our own existence, which is hanging by a thread with little time left.

In 1977 I made Survival Kit after moving from Los Angeles to New York. It was a combination of dark humor and real life practicality based on memories from my childhood witnessing the crazy gear Los Angelino's wore to offset the smog during the late 50's, 60's, and 70's.

Shopping Carts have become much larger to meet the demands of a population purchasing larger amounts of "stuff". It's capitalism rum amok and it's an unsustainable way of life that is out of sync with natures ability to renew itself and maintain balance. The title is sort of a cynical Haiku that suggest we are gorging ourselves on the next generations resources.

While walking in my neighborhood in Downtown Boston, I stumbled across some asphalt in the shape of a piece of pie. The title popped into my head and I returned to my studio and made this sculpture. At the time gentrification was creeping into the city and I was witnessing those on fixed incomes being thrown out to make way for those who could afford the new condos and apartments popping up everywhere. In retrospect it was the beginning of our homeless epidemic. The piece reflects back to the statement "Let Them Eat Cake" which was supposedly a phrase used by the rich in France expressing their insensitivity to the poor.

A Funky piece suggesting the earth is like a buoy floating untethered in the cosmic ocean.

We are dependent on a fragile ecosystem of suppliers for our electricity, gas, and water.

The earth sits misshapen and worn out on a pillow secured by bands of rubber. Hopefully, it can recover and keep going.

A cynical expression of what lies ahead as we become more reptilian in our decisions.

Based on the remains people discover in their homes after devastating fires where objects are no longer useful but still retain their identities. The title suggest news that has been coming for years but has fallen on deaf ears.

Two Bottle forms turned on a lathe and burned turning them into charcoal. A personal piece for me.

California is my home. It has been and still seems like a ticking time bomb of environmental disaster. What happens in California will determine so many of our future responses regarding political, spiritual, and economical issues, which are confronting both our country and the larger world.

I made this piece after hearing about so many global climate conferences ending without a solid declaration of environmental change. Talk Talk Talk

In the meantime, the earth heats up with an outcome that does not bode well for any of us.