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As a commercial artist the majority of my time is spent in digital graphics and designing website layouts. Although this is somewhat less satisfying than working with traditional media, it is nonetheless a deeply carved channel in my creative flow. The necessity of “making a living” has probably been the bane of artists since someone decided to spend their time painting bison on cave walls, and while I consider myself very fortunate to be able to support myself through art and design I currently find precious little time and inspiration remaining to direct towards sculpture and painting.

The object of my work is to convey concepts, dreams or visions through the use of physical materials. Twisted pieces of wood, feathers and bits of bone carry their own symbolism, but they can be viewed without the interference of certain societal ideals connected to commercial materials and therefore appreciated for their properties and aesthetics rather than for the value of their components.

The pieces are, of necessity, abstractions: the challenge of course is to alter the viewer's psyche enough for them to get into my head, to see what I see when the concept is born. A fleeting bit of a dream, allusions to a forgotten history, the contradictions between steel and bone. Each piece becomes, I hope, something of a philosophical illustration.

Due to poor documentation and extensive wanderings on my part almost all of my portfolio prior to 2000 has been lost with the exception of some photography. If anyone has any of my early work and can provide me with a high resolution digital photo of it please let me know.

Gecko and Scorpion Battle Over Raven's Carcass at the Junction of Three Rivers Found objects, beadwork, steel and copper, 2011: 53 x 40 cm. (21" x 15 3/4") Based on a Winter's dream of Baja.	Magpie Meets the Ghost of Sitting Bull Found objects, beadwork and brass, 2009: app. 55x50 cm. (21 5/8" x 19 3/4") This piece is a culmination of 3 concepts: the curved form reflects a sculpture I created and subsequently lost many years ago, while the individual beaded strands are intended to integrate the image into its environment and create a more ephemeral feeling in a way that would be impossible with traditional woven beadwork. Finally, the magpie met his end in a tragic collision with a car and was delivered to my motorcycle in a manner which I felt deserved some requiem: the brass pieces are for him in thanks for the feathers.	7 Months Metal assemblage, 2008: 42 x 46 cm. (16 1/2" x 18") Kind of self-explanatory: this is a small hanging piece crudely welded from stuff I had at hand.
Relativity Found objects and beadwork on steel plate, 2009: 60x60 cm (23 5/8 "x 23 5/8") Some years ago I found myself living on a small traditional farm in Nieder-wiesen, Germany and at the same time adopted by a group of British technical illustrators. This piece was inspired by that unique situation; the dichotomy between the natural surroundings and the highly technical society that surrounded me.	Dakota Dog skull, hawk feather and leg trap assemblage, 2009: 25x40 cm (10 "x 15 3/4") These pieces were all found independently of each other in Bdinci and just came together: an allegorical reference to the Cheyenne and early life on the 'Res.

All images Copyright © Charlie Harvin, 2010.....