Palmas

Palmas was completed in 2002. It was carved out of a single piece of balsa wood. It's one of the few pieces in the collection that has been painted and then varnished. It sits on a polished hardwood base and it's approximately 12 inches tall. The term "palmas" refers to el baile flamenco or flamenco dance, a Spanish form of music and dance from the region of Andalusía, characterized by expressive movements of the arms and rhythmic stamping of the feet. Palmas depicts the moment in which the dancer starts clapping her hands while the music, called "toque", plays, and the singing, or "cante", begins. This type of dance occurs during a "juerga", an improvised gathering of flamenco musicians, singers, and dancers, usually of "gitano" (Romani) origin. In this piece I attempt to capture the sensuality of the flamenco dancer.