NATALIE KORYTNYK FORRESTER, PhD
My figurative sculptures are about the difficult, often unspeakable feelings and themes related to death, loss, and betrayal as well as the unknowing uncertainty of dreams and wishes. They are also about strength, dignity, truth, intention, sensuality, and sexuality - the life forces that pull us forward in the midst of adversity.
I was initially drawn to creating figurative sculptures as a distraction from the trauma and grief of my late husband’s suicide. I wanted to play again. I missed his incredible aliveness and how alive I felt with him. Using sensual fabrics, wire, cotton batting, jewels, and meaningful found objects I create and sew emotional and multi-layered figures in motion. They capture the opposing forces of life, death, creation, and destruction. They are vulnerable and haunting with a glam factor.
Framed!
(Sculpture, Mixed Media, 18” x 18” x 18”)
This figurative sculpture is dedicated to my late husband, Rick Forrester, and all those who, like him, have endured wrongful prosecution in the hands of our government. Wrongful prosecution and/or conviction has serious psychological consequences including depression and suicidal thoughts. It impacts not only the victim but all those around them. I chose a multi-color, iridescent fabric for the skin of the figure to reflect universality as well as express radiant beauty and vigor. The feather headdress is a symbol of bravery and strength as ascribed by Native American Indians. The bullets on the black wooden base appear almost like candles honoring the figure and also revealing the darkness of the circumstance and the contemplation. There is a chain around the neck with a lock and key. The key is locked in a position where it can’t be used to unlock the lock – a metaphor for burdens or trauma carried. Or perhaps, also as a symbol for innocent people who experience injustices and can’t see or find a way out. The sculpture draws the viewer into an intimate moment of reflection on fate.