DARLA SLEE
OCTOBER 1, 2017 - OCTOBER 31, 2017

ARTIST STATEMENT

When I was a child, one of my favorite things was to be told a story. The best kinds were the ones that turned reality on its head, took me somewhere long ago, and far away. In these tales there was always a long journey in which one might encounter wise animals that could speak, strangers with hidden motives, and peculiar lands with odd customs. These works stimulated my imagination and fed my curiosity. Most people ignore the strange and unusual, but I have always been fascinated by it.

Eventually, I wanted to do more than just daydream about these far off places, inhabited by fascinating creatures. It was time to venture out and see them for myself. So I began working very hard to make that happen. I started going out into the woods alone, strengthening my powers of observation. I taught myself metalsmithing and other important skills such as the difficult art of time travel. When I was ready, I set out one evening, into the unknown.

Now, after many years exploring these realms, I've started to compile my artistic renderings of the creatures I've encountered, and the strange lands they inhabit, into a compendium of sorts. For those who do not have the means to travel and see all of this for themselves, here are some glimpses of what you might encounter outside the realm of your everyday life.