Category: metal work

Martin Van den Bogaert

 

Martin Van den Bogaert, “Captive Representing Spain”, 1682, Bronze, Louvre Museum

Originally placed around the pedestal of the pedestrian statue of Louis XIV of the Place des Victoires, the captives represent the nations defeated at the Peace of Nimègue in 1678. The” Captive representing Spain” has his eyes raised to heaven expressing hope. The models of the captive nations were cast in bronze in 1682. The bronze trophies were added to the pedestrian statue after the contract of March 9, 1685.

Pierre-Victor Ledure

 

Pierre-Victor Ledure, Mantle Clock with the Figure of Perseus, Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze

Born in Paris in 1783, Pierre-Victor Ledure became an apprentice of the famous bronzier André-Antoine Ravrio, who became one of his best friends. Ledure came to be one of the leading bronziers in the early 19th century, with an extensive and influential clientèle. Several important collections contain his work, like the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Art in Armor: The Kabuto; Photo Set 2

Art in Armor: The Kabuto; Photo Set 2

During the Momoyama period of intense civil warfare, kabuto were made to a simpler design of three or four plates, lacking many of the ornamental features of earlier helmets. To offset the plain, utilitarian form of the new helmet, and to provide visibility and presence on the battlefield, armorers began to build fantastic shapes on top of the simple helmets in harikake (papier-mâché mixed with lacquer over a wooden armature), though some were constructed entirely of iron.

These shapes mimicked forms from Japanese culture and mythology, including fish, cow horns, the head of the god of longevity, bolts of silk, head scarves, Ichi-no-Tani canyon, and axe heads, among many others. Some forms were realistically rendered, while others took on a very futuristic, modernist feel.

Mempo (also menpō, mengu or occasionally men yoroi), is the term for various types of facial armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. The bottom two photos show the kabuto with the mempo.

Carl Milles

Carl Milles, Poseidon Fountain in Gothenburg, Sweden

Carl Milles was a Swedish sculptor born in 1875 in Lagga outside Uppsala, Sweden. He moved to Paris and studied art, working in Auguste Rodin’s studio, gaining recognition as a sculptor. Milles sculpted the Poseidon statue in Gothenburg, the Gustaf Vasa statue at the Stockholm Nordic Museum, the Orpheus group outside the Stockholm Concert Hall and the Fountain of Faith in Falls Church, Virginia.

In Gothenburg’s main square, Götaplatsen, the imposing  twenty-three foot figure of Poseidon stands proudly atop the fountain. Completed in 1931 by Carl Milles, it has become an icon for Gothenburg.

Poseidon is a fitting figure to watch over the maritime city of Gothenburg. As the Greek god of the sea, he hears sailors’ prayers for calm waters and safe returns. As if to reiterate his position as the master of the waters, Milles sculpted him proudly lifting a large fish and shell toward the heavens.

The Kabuto

Art in Armor: The Kabuto

Kabuto (兜, 冑) is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors, and in later periods, they became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.

Kabuto are often adorned with crests called datemono or tatemono; the four types of decorations were the maedate (frontal decoration), wakidate (side decorations), kashiradate (top decoration), and ushirodate (rear decoration). These can be family crests (mon), or flat or sculptural objects representing animals, mythical entities, prayers or other symbols. Horns are particularly common, and many kabuto incorporate kuwagata, stylized deer horns.

Anna Hyatt Huntington

Anna Hyatt Huntington, Bronze Monument on Audubon Terrace in Washington Heights

Audubon Terrace, also known as the Audubon Terrace Historic District, is a landmark complex of eight early-20th century Beaux Arts/American Renaissance buildings located on the west side of Broadway, bounded by West 155th and West 156th Streets, in the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan, New York City. Home to several cultural institutions, the architecturally complementary buildings are arranged in two parallel rows facing each other across a common plaza.

Commissioned in the early 1900s by Archer Milton Huntington (founder of the equally beautiful Hispanic Society, which owns the statues and the terrace on which they are located) and sculpted by his wife Anna Hyatt Huntington, the statues on Audubon Terrace offer a staggeringly wide array of choices for the modern palette.

John R G Roth

John R G Roth Sculpture and Furniture

“My sculpture / furniture hybrids evolved into a series I call “Speculative Naval Architecture”.  Absurd ship models sometimes reflect my visceral response to the anthropomorphic aspects of machinery, vehicles, and buildings and sometimes serve as metaphors for my reflections upon conveyance and modes of communication.”

– John R G Roth

www.mayerfineartgallery.com

Wang Ruilin

Wang Ruilin, Sculptor: Four Animals from his “Dreams” Series, Copper, 2014

Chinese sculptor Wang Ruilin’s copper sculptures are the result of Eastern classical painting and imagery that’s been combined with past experiences. In an ongoing series titled “Dreams,”  Wang Ruilin creates surreal animals that don’t act like animals at all. Their backs, and sometimes their antlers, function as arcs that carry monumental elements of nature like lakes and mountain cliffs. It’s like an animal-version of Noah’s Arc without people.

“Leaving individuals behind is painful”, admits the 29-year old sculptor, but it allows us to reduce confusion and see the value and force of life.

Noel Lloyd Pinay

Noel Lloyd Pinay, “The Canadian Aboriginal Veterans Monument”, Bronze, 2001, Confederation Park, Ottawa

There are currently over 600 recognized First Nations governments or bands encompassing 1,172,790 peoples spread across Canada with distinctive Aboriginal cultures, languages, art, music and beliefs. National Aboriginal Day recognises the cultures and contributions of Aboriginals to the history of Canada.

Xavier Mascaro

Xavier Mascaro, “The iron Guardians”, Cast Steel, 2010, Spain

Xavier Mascaro’s work “Guardians” calls to mind – albeit in iron – the terracotta warriors of Ancient China. Up to 10ft tall, these faceless sentinels manage to look imposing yet protective at the same time. Again, unlike so much contemporary sculpture, which revels in its ephemerality, these works – you think – could date back centuries, even millennia. They command those old-fashioned artistic virtues: awe, solemnity and respect.

Mascaró is also of interest for anyone with a particular curiosity about Spanish sculpture. His fondness for iron reflects that of his Iberian predecessors, Julio González, Jorge Oteiza and Eduardo Chillida. Yet, he rejects the abstract approach so popular during the later years of Franco’s regime – a form of subsumed political dissent – in favour of the figurative.

Kinetic Sculpture “Octo 3″ by Anthony Howe

 

Art in Movement: Kinetic Sculpture “Octo 3″ by Anthony Howe, Stainless Steel, 25 Feet High, 30 Feet in Diameter.

Anthony Howe (born 1954, Salt Lake City, Utah) is an American kinetic sculptor who creates wind-driven sculptures resembling pulsing, alien creatures and vortices. He makes use of computer-aided design, shaping the metal components with a plasma cutter, and completing his work by use of traditional metalworking techniques. “Multiple axis finely balanced forms, both symmetrical and asymmetrical, conspire to create a visually satisfying three-dimensional harmony.”

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Jody Simpson

 

Jody Simpson:  Cutlass, Broadswords, Leafblades and Sabres

Most people know Jody Samson as the creator of the “Conan™” swords – he sculpted and assembled the blade and hilt for the “Master’s (Father’s) Sword™.” He created the blade for and assembled the “Atlantean™” sword. Both have become icons in the Conan™ legend, inspiration to swordsmiths everywhere, and symbols to many of the epitome of swords and sword making.

“The Best there is…” -Terry English (armorer for ‘Excalibur’ and’ The Messenger’)

“A Jody Samson sword commands instant respect. It is all made to order, totally custom, all hand made to precision. You’ve heard the old saying ‘The sword seemed to come alive in his hand’?” -John Steven Soet, Inside Karate, July 1998

“Jody is a sculptor, an artist, a man who expresses himself in steel in much the same way as a painter does on his canvas and as a musician does with his instrument.” -C. Flambourari, K.G.H.M., La Passionades Couteux

Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei, “Circle of Animals/ Zodiac Heads”, Somerset House, London, England, 12 Bronze Casts, Each Ten Feet Tall.

Despite acclaim in his home country – receipt of the Chinese Contemporary Art Award for Lifetime Contribution in 2008; his close work with architects Herzog & de Meuron in designing the “Bird’s Nest” National Olympic Stadium for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games; his reputation as one of China’s top artists; and his father’s status as one of China’s most renowned poets – contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has frequently found himself at odds with the Chinese government.

Such is the case in 2011 as his “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads” went on view in the courtyard of London’s Somerset House. What was originally scheduled as a press call to interview Ai Weiwei and an opportunity to photograph the artist with his “Circle of Animals” was altered to a sans artist event due to his disappearance in early April of 2011. Ai Weiwei’s whereabouts were unknown. Although no explanation was given for his disappearance, it was widely believed Ai Weiwei was detained by Chinese authorities in response to the online publication of a photograph featuring Ai Weiwei naked except for a toy horse covering his genitals along with a caption in Mandarin that could be interpreted as “Fuck your mother, the party central committee.”

In 21 June 2012, Ai Weiwei’s bail was lifted. Although he is allowed to leave Beijing, the police informed him that he is still prohibited from traveling to other countries because he is “suspected of other crimes,” including pornography, bigamy and illicit exchange of foreign currency. As of 2014, he remains under heavy surveillance and restrictions of movement, but continues to criticize through his work.