Pele draws its inspiration from the Hawaiian goddess associated with volcanoes and fire. Carved from red travertine marble, the sculpture depicts her freeing herself from lava, her figure emerging from the material that surrounds her.
The red stone connects the human form with the volcanic landscape. I wanted the carving to suggest both the resistance of solid rock and the movement of molten lava, capturing a moment when the figure is becoming distinct from the earth.
The sculpture can be displayed in different orientations, changing the way that emergence is experienced. Positioned upright, Pele appears to stand and break free; laid in another position, she seems to rise from the surface. Each view offers a different expression of the same movement, bringing a sense of transformation to the work.
