Castoffs 1: clam shells, glass case*9"Wx9"Lx7"H
Castoffs 2: snail shells, glass case* 9"W x9"Lx8"H
Castoffs 3: olive and saw toothed fan shells, glass case* 9"Wx11"Lx9"H
Castoffs 4: cockle shells, glass case* 9"Wx9"Lx9"H
Castoffs 5: oyster shells, glass case* 8"Wx8"Lx8"H
Castoffs 6: conch shells, glass case* 9"Wx11"Lx9"H
Castoffs 7: Campeche angel wing shells, glass case* 9"Wx9"Lx9"H
Castoffs 8: oyster shells, glass case* 9"Wx11"Lx10"H
Castoffs 9: rock and coral, glass case* 9"Wx9"Lx10"H
Castoffs 10: conch shells, glass case* 9"WX9"LX9"H
Castoffs 11: clam shells, glass case* 10"Wx10"Lx10"H
Castoffs 12: conch shells, glass case* 11"Wx9"Lx9"H
Castoff: no longer wanted, abandoned, discarded, betrayed, forsaken, deserted, relinquished, left behind, thrown away, forgotten, damaged, neglected, outmoded, flawed, impaired, blemished.
As I have walked down many South Carolina beaches I’ve been drawn to collect not the perfect shell specimens, but the damaged, blemished ones. Wondering about their journeys and how they came to arrive right where they landed as I place them in my bag.
The beauty in these castoffs, their texture, sharp edges, holes, dull or shiny curves, or barnacled surfaces lead me to imagine their interactions with the environment and other sea creatures. It also reminds me of the types of people Jesus called as followers or drew in large crowds. He didn’t choose the revered, important, and famous to teach. He walked with the weak, broken, abused, and discarded of society. His followers: male, female, sick, poor, prostituted, and despised, He considered precious just the way they were. Even with their flaws or hurts they had a purpose and could create a new story.
What about the people in my life? Who has joined my journey? Who have I cast aside due to my preconceptions or previous encounters? Who will I meet next? How will they help write my story or might I impact theirs? Castoffs is a series that speaks to the notion of beauty in the current state of each piece collected. Curated to reveal another story for you as the viewer to discover and consider how it relates to your interactions.
*NOTE: ALL CASTOFFS COME WITH MIRRORED BACK, 4 GLASS SIDED CASE WITH OAK BOTTOM, EVEN IF NOT PICTURED. OAK BOTTOM HAS LINER OVER GLASS MIRROR BOTTOM
