Some thoughts from the artist:
What’s an inclusion you ask? The scientific-ish definition is: A solid/liquid/gas characteristic enclosed within a gemstone, sometimes devaluing the stone. Many would even call them flaws…but we see them a little bit differently here.
But beyond the boring, literal component of inclusions, is an ambiguous world of natural beauty. After staring into countless gemstones for hours on end, I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’m looking at. I’ve found that the abstract nature of Inclusion Art is too much fun to ignore. A dozen people could look at the exact same photomicrograph, each seeing something completely different! One person says they see a vast constellation, while the other sees a dancing giraffe. To each their own. This is not art where my psyche must express itself with melded faces, melting clocks, or something that begs interpretation or explanation. It’s simply beautiful byproducts of another one of God’s most beautiful creations – gemstones. I’m not one to throw paint at a canvas to express myself. Myself is lame. This is God’s art, and He’s such a better artist.
On a deeper level, I like to think of Inclusion Art as looking at life through a new lens. Physically, and figuratively. When someone looks at a gemstone with the naked eye, and sees an inclusion, they almost always see a flaw. It’s junk. Damaged goods. Unloved, and undesirable. Imagine if God saw us that way. Too often we think that we must be perfect before God will love us, but that’s so far from the truth. As Paul put it, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Ultimately I’d like to think that’s what Inclusion Art is about. Not only beautiful abstract photos of God’s handiwork, but beautiful abstract reminders. Reminders that we are loved by our creator. And if we’re adopted into His family, He always sees us as flawless.