Featured Artist of the ‘Burg (FAB) 14: Palms of Spathose

Featured Artist of the ‘Burg (FAB) 14: Spathose

Our latest FAB is a duo, a team who work exclusively in a medium that is uniquely Floridian, and solely of the Burg. Scott Durfee and George Medeiros are Spathose, a collective of two who use the outer covering of the palm flower–the spathe–to create unique sculptures, wearable art, and high fashion hand bags. Combining the spathe with found elements–a bicycle chain, a perfectly rusted spring; other mechanical parts difficult to identify–their work is a mixture of the organic, the industrial, and the unexpected. We asked them to tell us about their work in their own words.

When did you first realize you were an artist?
Scott: I realized very late in life that my true passion was the arts…I grew up with a carpenter father and I acquired his talented carpentry skills… Also my grandparents owned a nursery and as a child my whole family was involved with the business, from germination of seedlings to production of holiday decorations. I did not explore my true artistry until my soul mate George inspired the development of my creativity.

George: I have always been involved with the arts in one way or another. I believe there is an artist in everyone; one just needs to explore the potential of one’s own creativity and have the courage to reveal that to the world.

Is there anything that people are surprised to learn about you? 

Scott: One thing that comes to mind is our relationship of 22 years. Our paths were meant to cross on a cold snowy night on December 24, 1989 when I pulled off the side of the highway to help a stranger stuck in the snow. We’ve been together ever since.
George: During those years, a majority of our time was working side by side, together 24/7. Not an easy task, but somehow we have made it work.

How did you decide to use palm spathes as a medium? Are they difficult to work with?

Our interest in this medium came about with the move to Florida. The palm spathe, with its majestic yet simple form, captivated our artistic spirit. Normally found on the roadside or trash heap, we believed this magnificent, natural form deserved rescue and respect. Always conscious of the environment, we sought ways to recycle this natural gem and it quickly became our muse for creating unique sculptures… It is an untamed and uncultivated organic medium that has not been mechanically processed. We had to develop the process for using the medium through ingenuity, persistence, and serendipity.

Before Spathose, what medium did you work in?
Scott: Clay, painting, costume design, flowers… neighborhood & community development. I consider everything we do as art.
George: Life is the medium of art.

How did you decide to add wearable art to your repertoire? How did the purses come about?
The Sarasota Art Center asked us to create an outfit… to showcase in their ICONCEPTS Fashion Show. This consisted of us creating an outfit [and] also creating something to sell during the show. Our creative juices were flowing and we accepted the opportunity.

For the show we created the first outfit to ever to be fully constructed out of Palm Spathe and metal… a 4-month process of trial and error [and] we still needed… a fashion accessory to sell… Fresh with ideas we explored many forms and finally came up with the purse concept as wearable sculpture…

How else are you involved with the community?

George: We worked with Tim Martin (CONA Rep.) and a City of Saint Petersburg Rep. Derrick Kilborn to form a committee to create new zoning ordinances called the Artists Enclave Overlay…
which allow Artists to live and work from their home in a designated residential community.  We are working…with Historic Kenwood… be classified as the First Residential Communities in THE BURG as Artist Enclaves… Stay posted to these neighborhoods for the follow through of the process…     

What do you think about the future of the arts in St. Pete? What can people do to promote the scene?
Scott: The Art scene here in The Burg has vastly grown through involvement and partnerships… Everyone does not have a lot of time to spare because we are all in survival mode but if we could all do our part and donate just a bit of time or even as small as paying memberships dues to the organization that benefit arts… As one person it is hard to be heard, but as a group our voice is loud and clear.

What do you love most about the ‘Burg?
Scott: Being a part of a community made up of so many different people… wanting to help each other in times of need.

George: When we decided to move to Florida, we knew we wanted to live in St. Petersburg. After visiting the state for many years prior, we just loved the vibe that the city resonated… It’s the people that make this city an exciting place to call home.