This piece was inspired by the elaborate golden reliquaries that can be found in wealthy church treasuries and museums. Only the best materials were most wanted to show the importance and prestige of the objects contained in these vessels. The material chosen was also believed powerful enough to aid in bringing the viewer closer to the golden light of heaven with its untarnishable reflective splendor. Although the majority of today’s society may not attach these meanings to the material, there are many other associations still firmly attached.
I chose the idea of the golden dandelion to represent society’s desire for gold. The attraction continues to spread “like a weed,” in spite of knowledge of exploitation issues attached to its extraction from the earth. In this piece, the shovels are positioned either for the continuation of “digging for gold” or to try to “remove the root” of the problem, curbing this sometimes irresponsible craving. In light of what harm careless mining can cause to our earth and its people, the aged bloom of the flower is hopeful that the reckless desire has past its prime. Yet if the glass breaks, the seeds will be free to spread the careless yearning all over again, and negligent consumers may ignore the importance in only purchasing responsibly sourced materials.
