Cheryl Coon

I am interested in microscopic organisms, diseases, viruses, and insects. So, the sculptures refer to cells, spores, pollen, and minute creatures which have the power to affect our physical well-being. The work is mainly influenced by spending time on the ocean observing life floating in the water, seen over many years of kayaking and fishing around the Sea of Cortez and Baja.

The most recent sculptures investigate the attraction/repulsion and the extreme beauty of natural organisms. I have become fascinated by diatoms and plankton – including algae, protozoa and bacteria – that demonstrate infinite variations of natural geometry. As abstractions of biological forms, they are indicative of many recurring patterns in nature – such as shells, spikes, thorns or fish spines – which are used by organisms for protection – to repel intruders in a hostile environment.