smōk | fine art sculpture | new york
Current Collection: New Growth
Moss, lichen, and fungi are the first things to appear after a forest fire when the landscape is unrecognizable from what we previously knew it to be. I am fascinated by the importance of these first signs of life: of their intricate detail that can only be seen when viewed closely; and of their resilience and necessary foundation in our natural world. As we emerge from what we have collectively been through, a global pandemic that changed how we see and engage with our world, this collection mirrors that new growth. The world’s global landscape is forever changed and we now have the opportunity to choose our foundational new growth in more inclusive and expansive ways than before. We have opportunities to prioritize our truths in ways that weren’t visible to us without looking closely: to see the interconnectedness of our humanity; how much our quality of life reflects the individual choices we make each day; and to find true resonance with our purpose in this beautiful moment of now. Our lives may not grow back the same way, our lives may not look the same, but our perception has forever changed as we begin to see our world from a place of alignment. The unique details of this artwork are tiny worlds I have created to discover our connection to our natural world, each other, and our higher selves. Each piece in this collection is one of a kind and hand sculpted in my studio in New York, NY.
smōk is the online gallery of Audrey Zahraa Franklin
Intuition is similar to the properties of smoke. Sometimes smoke can be blinding and you know exactly which way to move instinctively. Other times smoke can be seen from a distance but the source unknown. At times you can only smell smoke but not see it at all. If you were to set off on a journey to find the source of smoke you would need to evaluate your senses at each moment, at each turn. With just a change in wind direction the path currently leading you to the source of the smoke would no longer be relevant for you. I have found that this mirrors my own journey back to myself. Life will be full of both clarity and obscurity; joy and sorrow; events expected and unexpected. I have found that by letting go of my expectation of outcome, (what I thought I knew before I actually experienced it) that gave me the freedom to make decisions based on what was most important to me: how I feel, how I react to unexpected events, and what I do after. In life, the wind will unexpectedly change and it isn't the change that needs my attention but what I do with the change that makes the difference. I have found that by following my own intuition day by day is how I found my smoke, the significance of my intuition, my happiness, and my purpose.
My first memories are of the love I have for creating. My first art class was at the age of three at our local institute of arts. I took classes there several times a week in a wide array of mediums for the next 15 years. It was a wonderful way for me to explore every medium - pottery, sculpture, painting, figure drawing, illustration, en plein air, stained glass, jewelry, weaving and other fiber arts. I was immersed in a culture where I watched my instructors, fine artists themselves, work, show, and evolve in their own mediums. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been able to grow up in such a creative environment. After high school I went to art school and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I have worked in a variety of fine art and digital mediums in New York, Miami, California, Brussels, London, Toronto, the Caribbean, and Singapore. My current collection, New Growth is the latest evolution of my work and is on display in exhibitions in the United States and Europe.
Audrey Zahraa Franklin
I donate a percentage of all profits to the following organizations.
They provided help for me when I needed it the most.
Safe Horizons
Anti-Violence Project
Chosen Family Law Center
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