Found charcoal on paper

Pigment print on cold press

44 x 55"

 

“Friction Ridge” is a series of drawings made by using the technique of rubbings, and by applying charcoal found on burned tree trunks onto thin paper. The title “Friction Ridge” is inspired by a scientific term used for fingerprint development on the skin made up of micro folds and valleys. Similarly the friction of my fingers onto the paper creates abstract patterns, lines, circles and textures. Rather than a literal rendition, the composition results from interpretive tracing, by taking impressions of several areas of the tree. As in a performance, the drawings are based on time and process, and specially of my connection with the tree. While the 2020 rubbings are off of found pieces of redwood; the 2022 rubbings are off an ancient redwood tree. The 800 year old redwood was left by loggers because it was damaged or not tall enough, and therefore wouldn’t provide quality wood. It’s odd features allowed it to survive, and today it remains one of the oldest redwoods on The Sea Ranch in Northern California.  "Friction Ridge" express a feeling for the fragility of California's forests, recently made clear through wildfires and climate change.