Vicki Fish

I combine diverse materials to tell stories that celebrate and explore our connections with nature and the animal world. Enchanted by the way ordinary items magically transform into precious objects when placed in an intimate space, most pieces start with a box or vessel. This vessel becomes the “body” and the story starts to unfold as the inside is transformed with collage, paint, images, sculpture and found objects. These objects with their implied stories and sense of nostalgia create layers of depth and often inform the story. The heads are sculpted in clay and resin, and other elements are carved and sculpted from wood, tree branches or clay. Wings are hand-fabricated from recycled tins and metal, and bird feet are cast using the lost-wax casting method. The body takes shape as carved, sculpted and fabricated pieces are attached to complete the figure. Connection techniques include riveting, pegging, wiring, routering and embedding. Each piece is conceived and made entirely by me.