About the Artist
Ashley Tudor is a San Francisco-based artist. Her “Trophies” series explores the intersection of the natural world and the human role in it. Her primary medium is sculpture and mixed media. Ashley is an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and field to table chef. She loves any excuse to get into the mountains, valleys, and fields, especially to search out her own food. She is formally trained at Dartmouth College and has lectured at the California College of the Art, IDSA, and Stanford University.
Artist Statement
Civilized life has become too tame. In our comfort it is easy to be detached from the natural world. Food arrives at our table with little thought to its origin or life. The natural world has been sanitized, manicured, and separated from emotion. One forgets that our existence comes from the creative destruction of other life.
Life in nature brings us back to the realization of our fragile place. Most trophies are a reminder of man's dominance over nature. This series seeks to emphasize man's collaboration with nature. All victory comes at a cost. Any triumph is always temporary. Nature gives and takes. It is the hope that man and nature are co-creators in something that is more beautiful, lasting, and ultimately magnifies both.
The reflective nature of the sculpted skull reflects light. The reflected light is a constant reminder of our human obligation to magnify what we have been given into something nobler. The natural horns juxtaposed with a refined skull symbolize the ideal of man working in harmony with nature. As the nature of the skull ages and patinas, we are reminded that harmony is not a destination but a balance that must be constantly sought.