DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
My dolls portray characters who are normally ignored by mainstream society. I recall a 1997 review in The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA) in which Cary Smith comments on my “…disturbing doll-like sculptures…Wonderfully inventive and unique, Geiger’s figures depict people at the fringes of society; down-and-outers, outlaws and rejects.” I am inspired by the individual’s struggle to survive and find meaning in an increasingly overcrowded, impersonal society. Working with clay, fabric, and various miniatures enables me to bring this odd assortment of characters to life. It is my hope that their lives will offer insight into our own.
Often when I begin a new doll, I have no preconceived image in my mind. Surprises occur as their identities emerge from my subconscious into the clay. Each character is a fusion of my past, present, and the people in my immediate environment. Their struggles, desires, and personalities are revealed through their faces, gestures, and surroundings.
HOW ARTWORK IS (OR IS NOT) RELATED TO DEAFNESS:
Being hard-of-hearing means that I always feel a little out of place, never fully fitting into the deaf or hearing worlds. This separation casts me in the role of the observer rather than a participant, fueling my interest in portraying people who are not easily accepted in a society that values conformity over diversity.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in 1994 with a Bachelor of Applied Arts.
Currently resides in Seattle, WA.
