MICHAEL KIRK

“These works began as small drawings of dried flowers. Scaling up an intimate drawing takes me beyond visual observation; other references emerge and inform the work. The pieces are drawn on delicate sheets of China clear bark, a lightweight paper used primarily for sumi ink. The largest are composed of 13 x 13 inch units. When assembled they reach 10 x 13 feet and 9 x 9 feet, respectively. The sections are stored in a handmade archival portfolio box constructed to house the collection. There are a number of smaller preliminary and related drawings. Currently, when the large pieces are displayed they are taped temporarily to the surface of the wall. They are not intended to remain there permanently; the transient nature of the form itself has meaning.”