Description
Crisp, geometric lines define the sculpture, "Surfing Buda", but beyond its child like simplicity stands the mathematical challenge of balancing objects of substantially different size & mass. Surfing Buda is one of twelve pieces in a series I created for my show, with the theme of "Balance" figurative & literal. Created in the Contemporary motif, it represents the finite balance between man made & natural materials, as well as physically balance. With the exception of the finish, each component was sustainably source from materials that would have been discarded or burned & passionately formed into my symbolic vision of our coexistence with nature. The story behind the Materials used: Oak Fulcrum: Scrap from a local cabinet shop, intended to be burnt, this oak was salvaged, carefully weighed & measured (required for accuracy in its ability to balance differing objects), then cut, sanded & clear coated. Porcelain Base: Reclaimed porcelain slag, from a local ceramicist, was collected reconstituted porcelain was used to create the hollow base. After forming & firing it, the base was spray finished in a semi gloss so accentuate, but not distract from the central elements. (San Luis Obispo, 2021). Chrome Obelisk: The matte, chrome obelisk was created from an ash tree branch collected from an arborist in 2010. The ash tree originally stood over 100 feet tall, in a residential area of El Paso de Robles, CA. A small portions of the branch was cut, sanded to 2000 grit, sealed & then painted & polished. Alder Triangle: Construction remodel scrap, salvaged from a home owner remodel in 2017, the triangle was composed from an alder wood door jamb, I stripped of the existing finish (circa 1985), sanded, cut, glued & again sanded the finished triangle before staining & adding a clear finish coat. Chrome Ring: Similar to the "Alder Triangle" the chrome ring was also construction of remodel scrap, salvaged from a home owner remodel in 2017. The scrap alder was stripped of its original finish & then cut into 1/32" veneer strips. The veneers were then glued together into the ring form, sanded & painted with a semi gloss chrome. Oak suspension dowels: Scrap from a local cabinet shop, intended to be burnt, it was cut into long, thin rectangles, then turned into dowels using a table saw jig, sanded & clear coated. As with most art & products that use environmentally friendly, natural & salvaged materials, what could be viewed as imperfections, may exist. While I could have covered these, I invite you to view these, as I do, as part of the history & natural ageing beauty of the objects.. Surfing Buda Sculpture, Handmade From Sustainable Materials & Created in The Contemporary Art Unique Gift
