David Edgar : Sculpture

David Edgar has been an associate professor in the UNC Charlotte Department of Art since 2003. Previously Edgar served for three years as the chair of the Art Department and was Associate Professor of Sculpture at Ashland University in Ohio. He is also the former Executive Director for The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, Florida where he served for 12 years.

The Creatures of the Plastiquarium are immersed in mystery. Modern myth suggests that a century of increasing phosphate levels in Earth's marine environment caused new, synthetic life forms to emerge. As recyclable HDPE plastic containers spread concentrates of consumer product pollutants, the Plastiquarium creatures evolved in the image of their packaging forbearers. I find that working with consumer-based recyclable plastics results in expressive and unique artworks that are intellectually accessible to the public. Although much of my previous studio work is entrenched in academic intellect, this new work embraces a festive aesthetic with lighthearted imagery that I hope resonates in contrast with our increasingly stressful society.