My sculptures are not renditions or representations but are instead unique and independent. They resist being mounted on bases, except to be secured and oftentimes want to be seen standing on their different sides. The sculptures represent only themselves, as a vocabulary of their own language.

My work explores ideas that elicit responses not easily understood in a literal form. How the Venus de Milo was beautiful was a conundrum that Joyce was never able to explain. What makes any given person or thing attractive or otherwise compelling is a matter of understanding that goes beyond words and emotions to some other understanding. What is it about the eyes of a stranger that speak of eternity and what Borges called ‘the imminence of love’? What is the language of memory?

Words represent ideas and images become icons of concepts. My sculptures are the physical presence. They are relationships outside of ourselves; ‘a fleeting stab at perfection, its only significance our own momentary, mortal gaze as we reckon with eternity.’ (P. Schjeldahl)

Mike Walsh
2002