Mieke Zuiderweg

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Beneath the Surface Opening at Clay Work Studio

My show at Clay Work Studio with fellow artist David Velez Felix opened on July 13th and had a great response from the community. Thanks to the studio's Yiu-Keung Lee and his wonderful curation skills, to David for his enthusiasm for the show and all the Ann Arbor folks that took the time to come see us!

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

"Beneath The Surface" 7/1/2018 - 8/1/2018

Statement:

My new series “Beasts of Burden” came about after hearing a peculiar story regarding English pit ponies. It’s one of those tales you dismiss as ancient history, but upon further research, turns out not only to be true, but practiced through the 1990’s. These short-legged equines were lowered into coal mines to work and live out their remaining years (usually 3-4 on average). In the early 1900’s legislation was passed to let the ponies onto the surface of the mine for one day a year: Christmas. My first Beasts of Burden piece took form in black stoneware to emphasize the dark nature of the mining industry and its animal collateral damage.

Each piece in this series is created to pull the viewer in, enticing them closer through friendly animal forms. Upon closer inspection, the animals are portrayed as distraught and uncomfortable. Each animal represents a specific story of how they were used by humans to complete dangerous or difficult tasks. To heighten their tragic lives, I have painted their stories onto the sculpture for viewers to read. What first appears to be a whimsical series of cute animals turns into the harsh reality of what man can and continues to do to their fellow animals.

Pit Ponies