Rat and Pigeon Basket
George Rodriguez addresses sensitive sociopolitical issues through his highly ornamented figurative ceramic sculptures with a tongue in cheek ease that is evident in the sense of warmth his works convey. Themes of culture and identity recur throughout his sculpture, celebrating the unique attributes of diverse cultures as well as the similarities that unite us all. Rodriguez’s ceramic sculptures eloquently communicate the emotions they embody, figures spanning a wide range of forms and personalities. Aspects of certain forms echo elements of African, Italian, and South American ceramic traditions, yet the resulting pieces are dynamically modern.
Rat and Pigeon Basket is part of George Rodriguez's body of work from his 2020 exhibition, Urban Guardians. Says the artist, "The Rat and Pigeon are the titular sculptures for this show. To me they symbolize, perseverance, grit and resourcefulness, qualities that are important when building a strong community of people. They are also animals that often get dismissed and criticized but are integral to the make-up of a city. They are the guardians of the urban landscape and I wanted them to resemble entrance guardians in scale, posture, and prestige."
