August 27, 2013 - The Peacock

[CaliforniaMama]

Roth’s peacocks are bejeweled examples of the unnatural ways in which humans mimic nature. The splendor of the male peacock, long a symbol of vanity and self-importance, has the biological function of attracting a mate. Roth’s peacocks are bedecked with an avalanche of bling: fake fingernails, barrettes, false eyelashes, and nail polish—all ways in which humans (largely females) manipulate and falsify nature, perhaps with the intent to attract their own mate.. At first glance, the birds are humorous parodies of human vanity. At the same time, the aggression of their poses is undeniable. In Roth’s hands, beauty has an underlying current of danger, and vanity becomes violent.

From the catalog of an upcoming show at the Wendi Norris Gallery in San Francisco, called The Flight of the Dodo, by Laurel Roth.

These pieces from the artist's wood carved series are also to be shown: