“Every piece I make is about storytelling – each a narrative of some woman somewhere, and every woman everywhere,” she says. This series will be on display at The Art League Gallery in her solo exhibit, “Conversations With My Mother,” May 3 – 28, 2012.
Farrow-Savos presents this collection of sculptures as interpretations of advice, adages, and sayings passed down from her own mother. Double and hidden meanings emerge when works are viewed with their titles in mind – for example, “You’ll Grow Into It” is a phrase repeated by mothers everywhere to allay the worries of their children; Farrow-Savos translates this into a small figure overpowered by a found metal dressform. These literal renditions evoke memories for the viewer, creating emotional connections and encouraging stories to unfold.
Each sculpture begins its life with a found object – an old wheel, antique toys– as Farrow-Savos envisions how a figure might emerge. She then conceives the physics of the armature to make the piece stable. The figures are created from polymer clay and painted with many layers of oil paint – this final step is what gives them their unique patina, adding character and life to these representations of women.