ABOUT:
Sparks conjures the wilds of nature into expressive visual narratives through shifting specters of shadow and light. Hand cut designs are combined with colour changing film, prisms, mirrors, and high lumen lights to create mesmerizing works of art.
Sparks’ work merges mechanical and structural expertise with intricate light art designs. As licensed contractors and lead builders at Lookout Arts Quarry, a 61 acre former rock quarry turned collectively owned international event center, Sparks consistently collaborates with a culturally diverse team of innovators, builders, and community leaders.
Sparks has created installations in over 6 countries, 30 cities and 40+ global art events. They are represented by the ArtWA Public Artist Roster, City of Seattle Public Art Roster, and a Sparking Creativity feature artist for Portland Winter Light Festival's public arts program. Sparks is an ongoing artist contributor to Lummi Nation's Children of the Setting Sun Productions dedicated to amplifying Coast Salish culture.
In 2023 Sparks started a Femme Metal Collective to share skills with femme and trans artists navigating obstacles of gender binary and skill-exclusion in the metal arts industry.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Site specific architecture and landscape integrated designs:
- Shadow and light-box art displays
- Welded, cast, forged, plasma cut and machined metals
- Glass, wood, paper, plastics, and masonry
- Shou Sugi Ban fire preserved wood
- Green living roofs
- Stone masonry
- Venetian plaster
- Select harvest, log to timber, small mill processing
- Aerial, zip line, tree house rigging
- Exterior and interior lighting design
- Tinting, painting, dying, acid etching
- Primarily up-cycled and locally sourced materials
Experienced in building high use designs:
- Confident navigating city permits
- Digital 3d modeling
- Developing alternative creative green designs
- Has regular working relationships with engineering firms when stamped plans are required
- Owns and operates heavy equipment
- Knowledgeable in large scale water, solar, and electrical systems
Community and culture orientated:
- Community engaged public art projects
- Planning, design, and engineering coordination for interactive and kinetic installations
Conservation and biodiversity motivated:
- 14 years+ hands on experience remediating wetlands, streams, forests and industrially impacted landscapes
- Expanding biodiversity through earth shaping, landscaping and structural habitat creation
- Works of art that provide shelter and provisions for pollinators, wild birds and other wildlife
- Agro-forestry and edible landscaping
- Education based infographics to expand awareness
- Works with local First Nations to amplify Indigenous culture
Instagram: Hdawnsparks
Email: hdawnsparks@gmail.com