Original artwork description:

This is a 24X 28-inch (104 X 61 cm) wire wall sculpture of three buddies. It is made out of 3 mm thick (#12 gauge) low carbon steel wire that I bend by hand and weld, then powder coat gloss black* with an extremely durable, weather resistant material that makes it suitable for outdoor installation. The sculpture is easily installed on finishing nails or on wall anchors according to instructions I provide. The piece is signed with a thinner wire.

I make wire wall sculptures for public, commercial, and residential locations. The wire pieces are the final step in a simplification process that starts with a photograph or group of photographs. I make and remake a digital line drawing to emphasize only the essence and feel of the subject, then, like the poet who reviews every word, I re-examine every turn and curve as I bend the wire into a sculpture. The final installation, a solid line in space in front of a moving shadow, has scale enough to suit a large wall without dominating the room. My work has been purchased by collectors from all over the world.

In the past, I worked in photography, silk-screen, lithography, acrylics, oils, clay and stained glass. After seeing an exhibit of Alexander Calder’s wire art at the Whitney in NY 1972, I began to draw using wire rather than pen and ink.

I learned at an early age the value of family and relationships. I think my preference for drawing people and creating figurative sculptures that represent everyday life is my way of expressing what’s most important in life, and wire is especially great for portraits. I like my wirewall sculptures most when the line is gentle, abbreviated and flowing – conveying emotion and only the essence of the image.

*Other colors are available for a set-up charge of $100. Email me for details.

Materials used:

12 gauge (3mm) steel wire, powder coated gloss black and bent by hand

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