andrea waxman mulcahy
At the core of Andrea Mulcahy’s work is an exploration of the energies inextricably tied to the land, the environment, and her daily interactions. Born and raised in Kansas City, she pursued her artistic interests at the University of Kansas. On a mission to discover a medium that suited her expressions, she focused her studies on Textile Design. After receiving her degree, the realm of weaving still did not resonate as her chosen medium. She experimented with wood and clay, and even dabbling in a more traditional medium, painting. It was not until she relocated to Ajo, Arizona that she found her way to working with metal.
Mulcahy’s work has gained esteem throughout the country and abroad with solo and group exhibitions nationwide with organizations such as Casco Bay Artisans Gallery in Portland, ME; SOFA New York; Craighead-Green Gallery in Dallas, TX; and Gallery Materia in Scottsdale, AZ; among others. She has participated in Residency programs and both international and national juried exhibitions, such as the Arizona Biennial with the Tucson Museum of Art.
artist statement
Energy is a part of all that exists. Through my manipulations of form and material, I capture the essence of these inherent energetic states that surround us — the physical as well as those that are more subtle and intangible. It is the power of nature itself, moving these energies infinitely in all directions. Power and form coalesce. It is visible everywhere, in water, smoke, sand, air, and even the composition of the cosmos. The elements collide in an exchange of power. Much like a swirl of wind that is imperceptible to the naked eye until sand and earth are pulled in by its force. We watch as it manifests into an entirely new form.
My sculptures encapsulate a singular moment in these energetic states. Each piece carries and defies the weight of its outwardly stretched lines, entrancing us with a perpetual movement into space. A reflection of the primordial forces of nature, we are drawn in deeper.
The vibrational frequencies of the sculpture are intensified by its surroundings and encounters. They encourage us to continually return. Witnessing their impact on individuals, especially children, who tend to be the first to notice and perceive them, they stand arms outstretched, sensing the unique dynamism they exude.
I discovered that steel rods, while durable, could be bent and welded to reveal a graceful fluidity. As I weld the pieces together, despite the swiftness of the action, an incredibly strong bond is forged. Unlike other mediums, it allows my own intuitive and spontaneous energy to become imbued and intertwined with that of my subjects. When I begin the creation process, a dialogue is ignited. What type of energy does the sculpture want to embody? Should the lines move in space this way or that way? Is the flow of movement horizontal or vertical? Where is the tension? Where is the flow?
In connecting to the flow of space, the movement of energies, and the visceral vibrations they emanate, I create forms that invite viewers to experience the intrinsic powers of our universe. I hope that each interaction resonates with my viewers, moving them, and inspiring them to reconceive how they fit in among the cosmic, terrestrial, and even human energies of our world.