Gina Westergard

Metalsmith

Gina Westergard

Metalsmith

  • Memorial Objects
  • Reliquaries
  • Urns
  • Jewelry
  • The Making of An Angel - Research Documentation
  • Other Research Documentation
  • Research Statement for External Evaluators
  • CV for External Evaluators
  • Artist Statement
  • Biography
  • Reviews/Citations/Artist Talks
  • Hidden Within Vessels Video
  • Contact
An Angel in the Room
2020
copper, electroformed sculpting epoxy, electroformed ABS plastic, powder coating, enamel paint, glitter
19" x 24" x 24"

The inspiration for this piece began when I encountered a real tiger rug in a home. This incredible animal died in battle with an enemy it could never outrun, to be sadly displayed under a coffee table. The tiger head in my work is placed inside a bowl, a domestic object, to create an unsettling emotional experience, similar to how I felt when viewing the tiger rug. The bowl sits low to the ground so the viewer looks down upon it to emphasize an unbalanced dominance over wildlife. My bowl also references a shooting target but instead of being a symbol for a brutal act, I surrounded the tiger with memorializing Buddy Poppies, to raise awareness of the current plight of all apex predators.