Forged in Memory: A Sculpture of Timeless Presence

Clay yields, wax melts, metal hardens, but the magic of transformation stays—a quiet ember glowing long after the fire has gone.

The first touch of plastalina clay carried the weight of memory—a fleeting spirit I sought to hold in bronze. Not just a figure, but a vessel of presence, where the patinaed hull of metal speaks of earth, history, and the eternal pulse of my blood heritage—timeless, unyielding, and alive in the presence of those who listen deeply.

The figure stands in quiet contemplation, hands folded in a gesture that speaks to the wisdom and patience of our elders—those who’ve always been the carriers of knowledge, tradition, and resilience. In our communities, elders are the earth’s storytellers, their voices woven from roots, wind, and the quiet truths of survival. They hold stories that aren’t found in books but in their voices, their gestures, and the way they move through the world. I wanted this sculpture to honor that role, to embody the feeling of standing in the presence of someone whose life is a bridge between generations.

The turquoise patina on this piece is a result of an innovative process we have been developing—a hot patina on bronze that reveals the mineral-like qualities of the surface. The blues and greens mirror the natural oxidation, reminiscent of ancient artifacts and the sacred turquoise stones many Indigenous cultures have cherished for generations. The brown streaks that cut through the surface aren’t flaws; they’re pathways—like rivers on a map—representing the journey of our communities, the resilience that runs through our veins.

Creating this piece was a reflection on how Indigenous identity is so often framed as historical—as if we existed only in the past. But our cultures have always been contemporary. Our ancestors were innovators, architects, artists, and scientists in their time, just as we are today. This sculpture, while grounded in tradition, stands firmly in the present, asking the viewer to reconsider what “modern” really means.

This sculpture can be seen for the first time at the Heard Museum for 67th Annual Indian Fair & Market, March 1 - 2, 2025 9:00 am to 4:00 pm The Heard Museum Grounds 2301 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85004

Huge thanks to the team at Two Ravens Studio—they are legends of metal, friendship, and quality.