Collaboration
Stella Meets Mondrian in this sculpture where all of the pieces are from one large vase from which I cut all the components. I explored this concept previously with my post “Sea Worms” which is much more organic. Here I am looking to make an assembly with sharp edges and bright colors. I am combining the strong graphic shapes in Frank Stella paintings and the bold colors of Mondrian’s grid painting. The size is 7.5 tall x 7 wide x 4.5 inches high. Here are links for Frank Stella and Piet Mondrian.
The Process
I like the concept of deconstructing a form which in this cases was a tall vase and using the cut sections to build a new form. Making the vase on a lathe and then cutting circular sections offers clean forms in a variety of sizes. Then cutting the circular shape into C shapes and U shapes provide infinite opportunities for assembling sculptural forms. I will continue to explore this process to create more items. Here is the link to Sea Worms which was the first piece I made with this process leading to this more sophisticated piece, Stella Meets Mondrian. It came about when I was making a bowl that had severe cracks. I call this a design opportunity when the path I am on has to change. Sea Worms Wood Sculpture
Close Encounter
I showed this piece, Stella Meets Mondrian, at a symposium for woodworkers. A note was left by a viewer that she wanted to speak to me. I called her on her mobile number and we met at the piece. She asked if I knew Frank Stella. I told her I didn’t and asked why she would ask that. I turned out that she worked for Stella. You never know how people connect through art.
Studio
I design and produce all of my art in my New Jersey, USA studio.