PIQUANT

Agreeably stimulating and lively to the taste, a pungent or sharp flavor, of an interestingly provocative character, sharp or aggressive to the feelings. My addition to this definition is a pungent aroma. Garlic came to mind for both taste and aroma. I had a found object that looked to be a Mexican carving of a gourd or large seedpod, but that also reminded me of a head of garlic. This became my centerpiece that I splashed with paint and wrapped in hand-painted, crumpled newsprint. I coated the paper with Mod Podge to hold its folds in place and give it body and stature. I added brass wire, which, being very malleable, allowed me to twist and spiral it upwards. At the tips I placed twists of painted newsprint to suggest the pungent aroma.