meet the twins

photography by Todd Gries

I have been slowly putting this picture together for the past 2 years. I took up with the barnyard brothel women in 2009 and have been working toward the picture above ever since. First I completed the women, which were featured in my graduating thesis. Then, after graduation I worked on how to get the women to stay on my head. I first started imagining these women as a head piece in 2010 shortly before my graduation from the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program for fine art. At first I pictured cone shaped hats or something tiered like a cake (or Devo), but I think this way looks much better. The picture reminds me of Frieda Kahlo. Without a doubt the stern face and ornate hair she displays in her self portraits has influenced me.

kick in the face bowl

These legs are so difficult to work with. This bowl is really just a way for me to practice working with small, thin, and all around delicate parts. I have been trying things with these horse legs for a while now but this is only the second success I have had (horse butt teapot being the first). However, I feel this piece marks a turning point! four sets of legs in this bowl and all of them are perfect.

sparrow tea party

dead head candle stick set

Double Horse Head teapot

check out such and such site ... They used my teapot!

Horse Butt teapot

Aside from enjoying the simple humor of working with this form, I was attracted to the difficulty of working with the thin legs of the horse. It was harder than I thought it would be and this was my third attempt that finally succeeded.

Architecture display

DAAPWORKS 2010

display for architecture students shelf design