When I first planted black bamboo in my Topanga yard forty years ago, never could I have imagined what a profound and intimate relationship I would develop with this plant.

Native to South China, black bamboo is a striking and graceful presence in our garden. The new stalks emerge grass green in color, but after several hot summers they darken to a solid brown-black color.

Working with the bamboo over time reveals its nature and possibilities. I think of my bamboo as being a most generous friend; always giving of itself, always inspiring me to bring forth new expression. Originally, many of the pieces I made were functional in nature; brooms, rakes, bird-cages, eventually becoming purely sculptural objects. From small meditative wall hangings to large woven floor pieces, the bamboo’s strength, texture and tension give the works a resilience and stature.

My most recent body of work began a couple of years ago when I started to appreciate the beautiful bone-like quality that is inherent in some of the bamboo stalks. Since then, several dozen figurative, totem-like pieces have emerged; a collective offering to celebrate our humanity, our friendships, and our love of being. I see it as an exercise of bringing as much light as possible from the darkness.

Each piece is a touchstone to a revisioning. As objects of contemplation, they open gateways to the road for our return to the original land, the earth, our home.