Artist Statement for The Juggler – Sue Smales The Juggler has been transformed from a dead, palm tree flower pod. This piece is made from a small pod that had fallen off the tree prematurely and was curled over naturally. It is one of a series of seven sculptures made from the same sort of seed pod, in 2021. I observe nature’s spoils with a vision to develop them into possible life forms of weirdness, beauty, colour and fantasy. With these particular pods I look at the shape, patterns, textures and perceived movements and personalities and then transform them into what I see, using as much recycled material, natural and manufactured, as I can gather. Air dried clay is used to build further form and other embellishments.