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The Biography & Work of:
Patrick York Ma
	Location:	San Francisco, CA
	Web:	rocketworld.org
	Bio:	Patrick York Ma was born in Brussels, Belgium and at the age of 4 years, moved to the United States. On a whim he enlisted in the US Army at 18 and after jumping out of various wheeled and flying machines, shooting machine guns, blowing things up, wearing lots of green colored clothes, and other army stuff, went to "Art School". Patrick received his BA in ART at University of California, Santa Cruz, and his MFA in 3D ARTS at San Jose State University. Currently residing in the California Bay Area, Patrick works in his studio on a variety of projects, from sculpture and digital photography to furniture, apparel, and product design. Much of Patrick's earlier sculpture was created with an emphasis in metals and glass casting. Some of the works presented here at Rocket World are ongoing investigations into science fiction as a form of contemporary popular mythology combined with sculptural objects created as "artefacts" found within that context. Other projects include installation work with motifs and sculptural icons from the natural world created in a pop-contemporary visual language, prompting viewers' reactions on various levels. A number of Patrick's photographs use motifs and icons from "pulp science fiction" media, and portray contextual vignettes which tell a story or a captured scenario. Some of the other photographs presented are simply snapshots from various travels and/or subject matter the artist found interesting. Many of the images and "artefacts" on view here at Rocket World, were created as commentary on the human dynamic regarding exploration, pursuit of the unknown, and the objects we create, which become cultural-techno sign posts. These works are created ultimately to provoke a better understanding of ourselves as one people who are homogenous in many ways, by demonstrating how advantageous technology and the motivation to explore, crosses any cultural , national, and perceived "ethnic" borders. Patrick's interests and explorations of the studio arts and design are also colored by his awareness of our intrinsic participation in the natural, "Darwinian" world. The characters of the "Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo" were created as irreverent commentary of how our zoological heritage & natural world are being decimated and squandered. Part of the proceeds from purchases made from this area of Rocket World are donated to a variety of non-profit groups and organizations such as the Gorilla Foundation, the International Rhino Foundation, Zoo Conservation Outreach Group, Friends of the Sea Otter, and the World Wildlife Fund. When time permits, Patrick spends time in the field with wildlife groups, often in remote locations which are difficult to pronounce, doing conservation work. His favorite color is still green...it reminds him of the forest.