“Excavation”
Oil on canvas, 40″ x 48“
SARA’s children deliver Excavation, Ladder and Mamie to BAM Permanent Collection: May 4, 2018 (left to right) Bill Caccia, Heidi Linehan, John Caccia
“Excavation” was created at SARA’s South 17th Studio House in Pocatello, ID, circa 1996-98. This painting is a representation of recurring images in her work, influenced by early study and interest in primitive cliff dwellings. It highlights SARA’s interest in anthropology, linguistics, dream world, mythology, and primitive art. This painting also relates to the clay work, “Ladder” and the spirit world found in primitive culture and the connection between the rising or uncovering of the spirits in ancient sacred places.
SARA was in constant connection with the future, the past, and the here and now, and her thoughts and dreams were expressed in her work. SARA had originally given this work to her son, Bill Caccia, and it reminded him of the many childhood excursions to the historic Shoshone native encampments of Lake Channel on the Snake River, where SARA fired hand-dug clay pieces in primitive cow chip kilns. Bill found “Excavation” one of SARA’s more powerful works.
“For me, it feels like a dream reference to Lothar the Protector presiding over sprits being uncovered and released.”