by Beth Galston

"Leaf Boats" painted leaves; in the pond behind the museum

In my creative process, a particular space is often a catalyst for generating an initial image or feeling. I work on site through improvisation to create a sculpture, which may evolve in surprising ways. When I visited the museum, I was drawn to the pond. I watched layers of leaves float on the water, skim the surface and slowly change position as the wind blew.

I imagined a work that would focus attention on the water and leaves, while adding a sense of play. I gathered fallen oak leaves from the site, painted them with bright iridescent colors to catch light, and coated them with epoxy resin. The leaves float freely with other elements in the pond, adding a new rhythm; their configuration shifts according to wind and weather.

Color, light movement and transformation are the elements of this ephemeral piece. The contained space of the pond becomes a mini-theatre, framing the activity within it.