With over 30 years of experience in art making, Shawn Farley derives inspiration from the surrealist and avant-garde movements of the last century and particularly the women artists of those movements. Their work spoke to the feminine psyche, be it nurturing or not. Utilizing foundry molds, found objects, and paint, Farley creates abstract, figurative symbols and totems. Many of them come together through automatic placement originally, but with constant editing, are completed with a specific theme or vision in mind. Just as with symbols created in the past, her work elicits a feeling, tells a story or at the very least begins one.