Lithium Blossoms, 2021

Lithium Blossoms is a small fire sculpture that uses lithium salts in methanol as a liquid fuel, fed from glass test tubes. The lithium imparts to the flames a vibrant purple hue. The petals are roughly cut from aluminum cans, based on magnolia blossoms. The stalk is a branch from the magnolia tree in my front yard. Lithium salts are often used as a mood stabilizer for people with treatment-resistant depression. My grandmother was being treated with lithium, and died in the hospital while recovering from electroshock therapy, due to her persistent depression and suicidal thoughts.