Ethan Goldsmith

Tusk is a series of six wood relief panels depicting images of humans and elephants throughout different life stages. I once found a news article stating, “6 elephants had fallen over a waterfall in Thailand.” After reading further I found the youngest of the group was the first to be swept away by rising water. There were signs of a struggle on the shore as its family had attempted to save the young one, leading to the entire herd being dragged to their death. This work is meant to portray themes of family, struggle, and mortality in a classical yet subverted way. The panels are meant to resemble the bodies of the elephants half-submerged in the water after attempting to save one of their own.  

Ethan Goldsmith’s art practice currently lies between the realms of drawing and sculpture. Much of their work involves the human figure and usually takes a step into a more contemporary space when involving sculpture. However, when drawing, the artist always uses realistic styles. Themes of antiquity and modernity collide within Ethan’s work, bringing the mythos and classical forms together with new technologies and ways to display their works. Many of the artist’s drawings take inspiration from provided photographs and culminating aspects that are needed to enhance the final product.