RICHARD BUXTON: Artist’s Statement

The focus of my work comes from a life-long passion for archeology and history. More recently, I realized how much form-follows-function plays a role in what motivates my work. I have always collected artifacts of all sorts since I was young. I’ve always enjoyed spending hours immersed in the study of past cultures—including our country’s early Colonial history, most especially the 1700’s. I appreciate the handmade objects of the past and how much skill and attention- if not love- went into creating them. I’ve also always been fascinated by native tribal cultures and the variety of tools ancient people made from what was at hand. I love combining beautiful wood, stone + steel, primitive yet sophisticated techniques. I have only begun to explore these influences that inform my work.