Notes From The Artists Dennis Eavenson and Sharon Eavenson On The Mannequin Collection / 2019

Ancient greek architecture was decorated with human sculpture painted with bold and vibrant colors reflecting the needs and
asthetic sensibility of the era. Their artworks emulated cultural concepts about human perfection, philosophical ideology,
political states and religious convictions. Human sculptures portrayed creation myths about gods and goddeses and the
phsychological aspects of their personalities. Art documented wars and gave tribute to great political leaders. Heroic humans
rose to iconic levels with statues that presented themes concerning life struggles, mortality and human nature. Our torso and
bust continue in this tradition with the fusion of form and painted surface aimed at revealing current societal attitudes about
feminism, modernization and mechanization in a technological world. Sensuous paint wraps in organic assymetrical drips
reflecting the modern art sensibilities of today.

We address ideas about human ideals and the esthetic stances of our century. Themes include dichotomies like: uniqueness
and individuality, creation and deconstruction or organic and man-made. These works relate to our modern technological
society with minimalization of form and synthetic materials. We selected the segmented female torso and bust to reflect the
varied religious, social and politcal attitudes that shape women today.They tie us to sculptural relics of antiquity although now
naturalness gives way to minimalism and realism is replaced with random abstract pattern that alludes to maps, computer
technologies and complex web like structures. The dripped paint application references notions on inner biological systems
and spiritual paths. As we consider the stylized forms, other ideas emerge concerning the myriad of modern mass produced
plastic children's dolls as impactful imprinters of societal ideals about female beauty.

Femininity is ultimately a balance of both physical and spiritual aspects during any era. Humanities modern direction toward
dehumanization and destruction finds counterpose with female aspects like nuturing and motherhood. Light elements inside
each piece speak to us about a deeper inner spiritual need inherent in all women despite the femme fatale ideals portrayed
by soap operas and reality show divas. The glowing character of these works combines with the other elements to symbolize
femaleness as a beacon of light that brings nuturing and growth to any civilization. Addressing today's current ideology on
gender in society will continue to be a theme for many of our future works.