'Moments of clarity and healing': Jeddadiah Emanuel's four-year journey leads him to 'Inevitable'

For four years, Jeddadiah Emanuel has been on a journey.

In that time, he’s created pieces that represent where he is in life.

It’s one that he calls, “Inevitable.”

“There will be cracked earth pieces,” Emanuel says. “These are all wooden pieces. Hand carved and solid. Then there will be some new bronze pieces.”

“Inevitable” will open from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 15, at the Lamy Chapel in Santa Fe. The show will run through March 22.

Emmanuel says there will be 10–15 pieces on display.

On any given day, Emanuel can be found in his northern New Mexico studio creating.

This process allows him to be busy at all times.

“It suits me,” he says of his workload. “It’s a certain balance of obsession and crazy. It’s about accepting ourselves.”

Each day also brings many challenges for Emanuel – some personal, but more often professional.

He’s often using his artist eye to capture the moment of reveal.

“The wood itself proposes a challenge because of its natural elements,” he says. “I don’t fight what it needs to be. I try to incorporate the story that’s being told. I’m trying to dance with the natural elements. The finish I use is India ink. I chose that because of the gold and we’re dealing with wood, ash and metal. I find the process to be soothing, real and honest.”

Emanuel is working with Santa Fe-based curator Bobby Beals on the exhibit.

Beals says Emanuel’s enthusiasm for creating has long been at the helm of his personal journey.

He says Emanuel’s commitment to making and building has taken many forms, but the art of woodworking has consumed and inspired him more than any other craft he has mastered.

“The work of Emanuel is futuristically grounded into what causes a sense of growth from solid understanding,” Beals says. “The cracked earth welcomes the moss-like gold into an awakening for both the artwork and the viewer, bringing a glance into a stare internally.”

Emanuel says he wants his work to help people heal and understand.

“My art is trying to understand those old wisdoms that our grandparents would tell us,” he says. “I want people to take a look at the gold leaf coming from the cracked earth. There’s a beautiful reward with patience. Even in pain, there will eventually be moments of clarity and healing.”

Emanuel is also grateful for the many facets of his journey – both difficult and easy.

“I’m still working through the emotions and parts of my life that brought me to the pieces,” he says. “I’ll be working within ‘Inevitable’ for years.”