Holden Roberts

 Anchored Roots - Clay and Wood by Holden Roberts

Exhibition at The Walking Man Gallery. This show was made possible with the financial help of the Montana Arts Council’s Strategic Investment Grant.

Statement:

Humans, as a species, possess the unique ability to create, construct, and transcend the boundaries of our existence through socializing. This artistic endeavor reflects our journey as curious beings, seeking to understand our identity, straddling the line of being animals and something other, perhaps akin to aliens. What are we? Will our desire for intelligence increase? Are we figuring out more about the beyond and less about ourselves within? Do we really know and feel what this is all about? Do you feel like you are here? We are all just winging it.

I want to enter the complex interplay between humanity's skillfulness in navigating the realms of technology and industry, and our intrinsic connection with the natural world. Where do we fall in the intricacies of structures, beings, objects, environments and knowledge? The artwork, crafted with a fusion of wood, clay, and paint, serves as a representation of my experiences with each component and material. Comparing and contrasting processes, exploring studio systems, playing with composition, I want the physicality of my work to engage the dialogue of the image.

 I see art as the expression of now. The scripture of how “now” feels. What is the feeling of right now? Does artificial intelligence belong in the art world? Is AI a way to collaborate with all humans or a way of blindly inviting a new being to earth? Why must we keep improving our ability to leave this experience? Have we even experienced all of it yet? Are we ready to turn the blender on?

Through the strokes of wood and clay, I celebrate the raw beauty of these natural materials by carving the surface to reveal a new character. The vibrant palette of acrylic paint symbolizes the energy of human intellect and the overwhelming social world that coincides with enormous structures and complicated systems that hosts a wild social network. Yet, amidst our advancements, we find ourselves drifting away from the very essence that is us—the natural world.

As an artist, I advocate for balance—a coexistence where modern ingenuity harmonizes with the nurturing embrace of nature. My art calls upon humanity to embrace simplicity, savoring genuine connections with others and reveling in the universe within. Let us sit, let us dine, let us connect. We must reflect on our actions, envisioning a future where progress is intertwined with the preservation of our planet and the preservation of ourselves all while we navigate this ever-evolving tapestry of existence.