Before my parents moved into my childhood home, it was owned by a family of hoarders who hid their trove away so well that they forgot much of it when they left. My childhood, especially early on, was full of amazing discoveries. Costume jewelry and beaded cord which had been buried, plastic dinosaurs and bugs from the family's youngest. None of it was really of note or value outside of the joy of discovery in the mind of a child. One found object, though, impacted me more than the rest. Digging in the backyard one day, I uncovered an old cardboard box. Inside it I found an agate geode cut into slices and polished. To my young mind this was buried treasure, a discovery of great value. With my thesis works relating so closely to places of personal significance, it would not be true to myself to omit the place closest to my heart.

I began by designing a sphere in six parts, not sliced, but interlocking with dovetail joints. I 3D printed it and then cast it in bronze. Inside I flush set a smattering of stones, and polished the interior. In order to hold together the six parts, I constructed a springy brass band, complete with a latch to hold it closed and tighten the pieces together

This is by far the most accessible of my works. It is to be buried in the yard of my family home. The same yard where I discovered many strange things, many buried treasures. I hope that when my family eventually moves on to a different home, that the next family, or the family after that, or further forward, will begin construction on a new shed, or addition to the house. Perhaps after planning out the space, their excavation will uncover their own buried treasure.