Art has been Darcy Chenoweth's foundation as she worked for the Forest Service then as a nurse. Throughout those careers, she kept her hands in the mud and mind in the metal shop. Art pressed on her until she broke and couldn't ignore her needs to create full time. Her functional work is meant to be used daily, to bring an aesthetic to daily life and events. She rebukes the shallow anonymity of the objects in our lives and work to replace those objects with beautiful things that have a connection to the maker and a story. She honors the joy of reaching for her favorite mug each morning and the disappointment when she accidentally breaks it. The joy and loss are how she knows beauty and connection are real. Ironwork started as an adjunct to her ceramic vessels, the strengths and weaknesses of clay and iron become pronounced when the two come together. Her love of forging has grown to encompass architectural instillations such as railings, ladders and lighting. She is influenced by the clean lines of modern design and the natural material and flow of Japanese composition. She seeks the handmade life not for nostalgia but rather, for connection, intimacy and community. She is proud to be a part of the resurgence of small-scale builders, farmers and makers redefining the “consumer market."
Connect with Contributor:
