the story . . . .
The Four Rocking Horses of the Apocalypse project was born in 2008. I started with one adult sized rocking horse. I knew I wanted it to look skeletal and dark, and I knew I wanted it to be ridden and enjoyed. Never having worked with wood, or large-scale sculpture (really, any kind of sculpture), I just started drawing. I borrowed tools, bought wood, asked friends to help, learned to sculpt, and eventually a giant rocking skeletal horse was born. She was alone, not yet part of some large scale project, just a rocking horse for grown ups to ride.
Then a friend planted a seed by mentioning the idea of having four rocking horses representing the four horsemen of the apocalypse. That seed immediately sprouted roots, and before I knew it I was planning the 2nd rocking horse.
My interpretation of these horsemen from Revelation in the Bible is very loose, it's an artistic idea based mostly on how I want them to look, and less on the many academic and theological interpretations. I want them to appear ominous and imposing, but the catch is that they are giant toys. They are meant to be fantastic and absurd, but also beautiful and magical. You cannot ride one of the mammoths without feeling a little joy. With this world feeling so unstable, and all the theories of its end, the rocking horses bring light to a dark time.
While I was not able to get "Pestilence" finished for Burning Flipside 2012, "Famine", "War", and "Death" made it, and were enjoyed by many. Photo collaboration projects have begun, check the news & media page for current updates.
Then a friend planted a seed by mentioning the idea of having four rocking horses representing the four horsemen of the apocalypse. That seed immediately sprouted roots, and before I knew it I was planning the 2nd rocking horse.
My interpretation of these horsemen from Revelation in the Bible is very loose, it's an artistic idea based mostly on how I want them to look, and less on the many academic and theological interpretations. I want them to appear ominous and imposing, but the catch is that they are giant toys. They are meant to be fantastic and absurd, but also beautiful and magical. You cannot ride one of the mammoths without feeling a little joy. With this world feeling so unstable, and all the theories of its end, the rocking horses bring light to a dark time.
While I was not able to get "Pestilence" finished for Burning Flipside 2012, "Famine", "War", and "Death" made it, and were enjoyed by many. Photo collaboration projects have begun, check the news & media page for current updates.
see below for more images of the horses and the process
Kickstarter 2012
In March 2012 I launched a Kickstarter campaign to get funding to finish the project. Being unemployed for over 7 months, I was worried I would have to put the project aside (again). Thanks to the generous donations from backers the campaign was successful! I am proud and so very grateful to these donors, I literally would not be able to complete this without them.
A giant serving of gratitude & appreciation goes out to the following Kickstarter backers (order by date of pledge - with name given to Kickstarter):
Niki Jones, Francesca Hernandez, Lori Decker, Kaia, Brandi Soules, Morgan Stonebraker, Jenna Hubbard, Christina Berry, Kerry Redding, Gabrielle Penabaz, Karen Ziegler, Treg Taylor, Loren Rice, Wiley Wiggins, Lucretia Krause, Avitania Satari Bronstein, Samantha Whitehawk, Chris Strawn, Geo Crosby, Lorena Gomez, Janene Krambeck, Chris Hamberlin, Martha Berry, Jana Banana, Rob Lifford, June Kontvis, Stephanie Taylor, Joseph Noctum, Adam Rice, Shanna Pharis, Capsaisin, Heika Muller, Jennifer, Deanna Carrillo, Paula Thompson, John Wiggins, Jordan Moe, Alicia Coffman, Megan Grantonic, Sarah Stacey, Elizabeth Meador, Casey Schmit, Jarod Belshaw, Charles Hueter, Jessica Tyler, Jennifer Lukehart, Nicole Labry, Chris McMillan, Nutty Art # 9, John King, Sean Welch, Bruce Turner, Jenny Bailey, Jack Stonebraker, Clovis, Tim & Timi Welch, Jeff Kallaus, Amanda, Zonkism, Delia, Xaviera Chambers, Shaun, Claudia Dunne, Sarah Holdgrafer, Valerie Hemming
A giant serving of gratitude & appreciation goes out to the following Kickstarter backers (order by date of pledge - with name given to Kickstarter):
Niki Jones, Francesca Hernandez, Lori Decker, Kaia, Brandi Soules, Morgan Stonebraker, Jenna Hubbard, Christina Berry, Kerry Redding, Gabrielle Penabaz, Karen Ziegler, Treg Taylor, Loren Rice, Wiley Wiggins, Lucretia Krause, Avitania Satari Bronstein, Samantha Whitehawk, Chris Strawn, Geo Crosby, Lorena Gomez, Janene Krambeck, Chris Hamberlin, Martha Berry, Jana Banana, Rob Lifford, June Kontvis, Stephanie Taylor, Joseph Noctum, Adam Rice, Shanna Pharis, Capsaisin, Heika Muller, Jennifer, Deanna Carrillo, Paula Thompson, John Wiggins, Jordan Moe, Alicia Coffman, Megan Grantonic, Sarah Stacey, Elizabeth Meador, Casey Schmit, Jarod Belshaw, Charles Hueter, Jessica Tyler, Jennifer Lukehart, Nicole Labry, Chris McMillan, Nutty Art # 9, John King, Sean Welch, Bruce Turner, Jenny Bailey, Jack Stonebraker, Clovis, Tim & Timi Welch, Jeff Kallaus, Amanda, Zonkism, Delia, Xaviera Chambers, Shaun, Claudia Dunne, Sarah Holdgrafer, Valerie Hemming
Heart of War reward
"Heart of War", flaming heart for the "War".
Geogina Toland will be receiving her very own "Heart of War" sculpture. I am really excited to have a reason to create another flaming heart!!!!!
And special thanks to:
Curious Customs - CNC shop where many of the multiple layers of pieces were cut
Michael & June Harris - to Michael, for planting an insane idea in my head that stuck, and to both of them for being so supportive and giving me a place to work on and finish War
Ori Sofer - my one minion, who dedicates a lot of his time. Not only did he do a lot of finish sanding on Death, he has helped load/unload and move all The Girls often, you are the best minion!
Grant Dishman - for helping with, and hosting this site, and so much more
And all my friends and family that have cut wood, sanded, carried, loaded and unloaded, stored, cleaned, and volunteered to babysit the rocking horses at events (and many more things I am certainly forgetting)!!!!!!!!! Thanks for supporting my giant art!
Curious Customs - CNC shop where many of the multiple layers of pieces were cut
Michael & June Harris - to Michael, for planting an insane idea in my head that stuck, and to both of them for being so supportive and giving me a place to work on and finish War
Ori Sofer - my one minion, who dedicates a lot of his time. Not only did he do a lot of finish sanding on Death, he has helped load/unload and move all The Girls often, you are the best minion!
Grant Dishman - for helping with, and hosting this site, and so much more
And all my friends and family that have cut wood, sanded, carried, loaded and unloaded, stored, cleaned, and volunteered to babysit the rocking horses at events (and many more things I am certainly forgetting)!!!!!!!!! Thanks for supporting my giant art!
Photo collaboration projects have begun,
check the news & media page for current updates.
check the news & media page for current updates.
Death, 2012
War, 2009
Famine, 2008
The Four Rocking Horses of the Apocalypse
"War", by Carrin Welch ©2009, Photo ©2009 Charles Heuter/Chris Hamberlin, photo taken at Burning Flipside 2009.
