On the Origins of Spirit
Joshua Wetherington
Amethyst Forest
Artist Statement: On the Origin of Spirit - a confluence of the natural world and the human experience. The figures take human form in an attempt to relate and reconnect us with the source from which we came. Some offer peace, while others provide omens. Bottled naturescapes beg you to get lost in imagination and serve as a reminder that one can thrive in even the smallest of spaces.
Artist Bio:
Joshua Wetherington - Creation has always been my way of finding peace and purpose within the human experience. I also find it to be the ultimate form of self expression.
I am a multidisciplinary artist, designer and craftsperson who lives and works in Central Kentucky. Originally from the deserts of Southern California, I’ve always found Kentucky’s lush biodiversity a source of inspiration. I believe it is each of our responsibilities to do what we can to maintain and protect this source. Much of my process involves manual shaping with antique hand tools which provides a closer connection to, and deeper understanding of the material. My materials are either scavenged, recycled, salvaged, sustainably sourced and/or locally sourced.
Amethyst Forest - I’ve always struggled with claiming myself as an artist but have always used what materials were around me to create things for myself. Often these materials included nature, disregarded toys, and the “trash” that people leave behind. Everything I gather feel like treasure. I can take these things and create new worlds that I often let my imagination run wild in. Graduating with an art education degree was my way of trying to justify my work as art but I still found a lot of struggle labeling myself as an artist. I became an entrepreneur, selling my work at craft shows and online at reasonable prices, which gives me some recognition from the general public as a creative person. I later started leading workshops showing children and adults the healing aspects of creating. Through this work I started to embody the idea that everyone is an artist. It became clear that it was all inside each of us and that we were the ones stopping ourselves from the label of an artist. If we look closely enough there is art in everything and, when we are aware of that. the world becomes a more beautiful place to be. I am an Artist and so are you. My only objective is to be an example of how beautiful and freeing that recognition of self can be.
Artist Bio:
Joshua Wetherington - Creation has always been my way of finding peace and purpose within the human experience. I also find it to be the ultimate form of self expression.
I am a multidisciplinary artist, designer and craftsperson who lives and works in Central Kentucky. Originally from the deserts of Southern California, I’ve always found Kentucky’s lush biodiversity a source of inspiration. I believe it is each of our responsibilities to do what we can to maintain and protect this source. Much of my process involves manual shaping with antique hand tools which provides a closer connection to, and deeper understanding of the material. My materials are either scavenged, recycled, salvaged, sustainably sourced and/or locally sourced.
Amethyst Forest - I’ve always struggled with claiming myself as an artist but have always used what materials were around me to create things for myself. Often these materials included nature, disregarded toys, and the “trash” that people leave behind. Everything I gather feel like treasure. I can take these things and create new worlds that I often let my imagination run wild in. Graduating with an art education degree was my way of trying to justify my work as art but I still found a lot of struggle labeling myself as an artist. I became an entrepreneur, selling my work at craft shows and online at reasonable prices, which gives me some recognition from the general public as a creative person. I later started leading workshops showing children and adults the healing aspects of creating. Through this work I started to embody the idea that everyone is an artist. It became clear that it was all inside each of us and that we were the ones stopping ourselves from the label of an artist. If we look closely enough there is art in everything and, when we are aware of that. the world becomes a more beautiful place to be. I am an Artist and so are you. My only objective is to be an example of how beautiful and freeing that recognition of self can be.
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All Lexington Art League programs are made possible through the generous support of LexArts. LexArts allocation of $50,000 represents the largest single donation to the operations of the Lexington Art League.
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The Kentucky Arts Council, a state arts agency, provides operating support to the Lexington Art League with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by Lexington Parks & Recreation.
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