“This sculpture started as a vertical block of marble, already cut with dowel marks created when it was taken out of the quarry. I envisioned doing something with the dowel marks, but it didn’t come together. I focused instead on the dark green veins, shooting upward like flames. I carved away the dowel marks to form an upward, green and white band, symbolizing the flickering of a flame. I decided to call the piece, “Votive” — “an object offered in fulfillment of a vow.” In today’s complex world where so much is uncertain, I and all of us can make a vow to create a better world.” — Melanie Zibit