Conceptual Sculpture
These sculptures are made one at a time and are individually unique. Each sculpture has a rooted meaning and concept behind its design which perpetuates the underling message. Most of these sculptures are part of a large series but are designed in such a way that they can stand alone without the support of the whole. Every sculpture displayed are designed and created per order. The original works are for sell but require a request for availability.
Pillars of Creation / The Forge
22.5 x 13.5 x 13.5 inches
Constructed of steel, this sculpture was made to mimic a black smiths forge! When its base is spun, a vortex of fire springs to life. The concept behind this piece derived from the similarities between a black hole and the blacksmith's forge in conjunction with the universe and the theory of creation "The Big Bang". Anything put into the fires are consumed and reworked into a universe created by the smith / "creator". This sculpture contains both scientific and religious undertones.
*Included: A modified museum display pedestal to house a 20lb propane tank.
Constructed of steel, this sculpture was made to mimic a black smiths forge! When its base is spun, a vortex of fire springs to life. The concept behind this piece derived from the similarities between a black hole and the blacksmith's forge in conjunction with the universe and the theory of creation "The Big Bang". Anything put into the fires are consumed and reworked into a universe created by the smith / "creator". This sculpture contains both scientific and religious undertones.
*Included: A modified museum display pedestal to house a 20lb propane tank.
An Inflated Ego / Intoxicating Bellows
4 x 8.5 x 20 inches
Hand crafted and hand stitched, these completely functional bellows were made as a figurative representation for inflating one’s ego, specifically "mentality". The ego, in essence, refers to that decision making portion of our personality that gives us a sense of “self”, whether true or false.
The rough interior of the bellows is hidden by a two-way mirror and when looked at closely, will allow viewers to see through to the rough interior of the piece. This reveals that one with a lot of ego is usually compensating for something else and if looked closely enough, one can see right through their façade. Additionally the needle like delivery system was implemented to convey the dangers of the device.
Hand crafted and hand stitched, these completely functional bellows were made as a figurative representation for inflating one’s ego, specifically "mentality". The ego, in essence, refers to that decision making portion of our personality that gives us a sense of “self”, whether true or false.
The rough interior of the bellows is hidden by a two-way mirror and when looked at closely, will allow viewers to see through to the rough interior of the piece. This reveals that one with a lot of ego is usually compensating for something else and if looked closely enough, one can see right through their façade. Additionally the needle like delivery system was implemented to convey the dangers of the device.
Emotions Grip / "Big" Billy Tongs
Closed 54 x 6 inches / Open and free standing 38 x 34 x 46 inches
These tongs are completely hand forged out of tool steel and designed to fold up for easy display or unfold like a tripod. As a conceptual piece art, these tongs are made to handle anger. This non-physical element represented by the hot material that these tongs are used to handle. Anger has a funny way of growing and there are different levels of it. To represent this, these tongs are made with three different sized jaw openings on the end. The tongs are elongated to keep one as far away from the heat as possible. However when it comes to handling anger, no distance is far enough and those around you are victim to it as well. Leveraging is the only way to get out unscathed.
These tongs are completely hand forged out of tool steel and designed to fold up for easy display or unfold like a tripod. As a conceptual piece art, these tongs are made to handle anger. This non-physical element represented by the hot material that these tongs are used to handle. Anger has a funny way of growing and there are different levels of it. To represent this, these tongs are made with three different sized jaw openings on the end. The tongs are elongated to keep one as far away from the heat as possible. However when it comes to handling anger, no distance is far enough and those around you are victim to it as well. Leveraging is the only way to get out unscathed.
Hammer of the Gods / The Hammerthyst
36 x 8.75 x 5 inches
This hammer is huge! Made from a solid giant crystal and wrought iron, this astonishing piece is truly one of a kind. Because each crystal will vary in shape, no two hammers will ever be the same! The concept behind this hammer originated from the similarities between the blacksmith hammer's role, purifying and shaping metal, to that of purity, faith, and religion. These beliefs are not innate to us, but something that is taught and hammered into us. Because faith is something so important to so many, this blacksmith hammer was supersized into a war hammer to express these feelings. The crystal represents purity and divinity, while the twisted iron represents embracement and the encompassing nature of faith. (The hammer was an essential tool for the smith. It was responsible for shaping and purifying the material from the forge. The repetitive beating and folding of the material squashed out any impurities, rendering a purified state)
This hammer is huge! Made from a solid giant crystal and wrought iron, this astonishing piece is truly one of a kind. Because each crystal will vary in shape, no two hammers will ever be the same! The concept behind this hammer originated from the similarities between the blacksmith hammer's role, purifying and shaping metal, to that of purity, faith, and religion. These beliefs are not innate to us, but something that is taught and hammered into us. Because faith is something so important to so many, this blacksmith hammer was supersized into a war hammer to express these feelings. The crystal represents purity and divinity, while the twisted iron represents embracement and the encompassing nature of faith. (The hammer was an essential tool for the smith. It was responsible for shaping and purifying the material from the forge. The repetitive beating and folding of the material squashed out any impurities, rendering a purified state)
Shattering Faith / The Glass Sword
29 x 4 x 4 inches
This full size sword was completely hand made from scratch. The guard is made out of forged brass while the handle is made from lamb skin and sterling silver. The blade is made completely out of glass and has a full tang that extends through the handle. The iconography associated with a French saber represents strength, honor, and valor. However; because this blade is made out of glass it was meant to represent the fragile nature of these ideas. Faith and religion are also represented by the purity and clarity of the glass.
*Included: One museum display shadowbox with red velvet lining. packed tight with the sword to prevent damage.
This full size sword was completely hand made from scratch. The guard is made out of forged brass while the handle is made from lamb skin and sterling silver. The blade is made completely out of glass and has a full tang that extends through the handle. The iconography associated with a French saber represents strength, honor, and valor. However; because this blade is made out of glass it was meant to represent the fragile nature of these ideas. Faith and religion are also represented by the purity and clarity of the glass.
*Included: One museum display shadowbox with red velvet lining. packed tight with the sword to prevent damage.
A Low Self Esteem / A Short Knife
12 x 4 x 2.5 inches
Designed as a play on words from the saying, “having a low self-esteem”. This knife functions as a measuring device for one's own mental state. Its appearance matches that of a dial from an old steam gauge to further promote the idea. The piece is a fully functional knife with a little tip to hint at the mentality this piece represents. A magnifying lens was also incorporated as a device to represent seeking confidence and approval. The pommel doubles as a fully operational boiler, intended to operate the miniature steam gauge. This gauge measures the steam pressure caused by handling the device as reference to the users level of confidence. Though it is functional, you can never generated enough heat by holding or using the knife to make the dial move very much. As a result, it will show its user to have a low self-confidence. Because of this, it actually causes the viewer to develop a low self-esteem, by thinking they already have one.
Designed as a play on words from the saying, “having a low self-esteem”. This knife functions as a measuring device for one's own mental state. Its appearance matches that of a dial from an old steam gauge to further promote the idea. The piece is a fully functional knife with a little tip to hint at the mentality this piece represents. A magnifying lens was also incorporated as a device to represent seeking confidence and approval. The pommel doubles as a fully operational boiler, intended to operate the miniature steam gauge. This gauge measures the steam pressure caused by handling the device as reference to the users level of confidence. Though it is functional, you can never generated enough heat by holding or using the knife to make the dial move very much. As a result, it will show its user to have a low self-confidence. Because of this, it actually causes the viewer to develop a low self-esteem, by thinking they already have one.
An Emotional Wreck / Dagger Through The Heart
18 x 4.5 x 2 inches
This dagger was made as a conceptual piece that was designed to convey both depression and self-sacrifice. The blade that makes up this dagger is actually a giant, crooked, cut nail and through a heat treatment process, was blackened to translate as the embodiment of the emotion. The cross guard was carved out of mahogany and set with two garnets to represent the emotional pain and the blood spilled from using the dagger. The handle is wrapped in black lamb’s skin with a noticeable spiral stitch, representing a wound that never heals. The barbed wire that is wrapped around the handle protrudes and digs into the leather as a reference to the physical pain and the sacrifice needed to be able to use the device. This suggests that an emotional pain is sometimes greater than a physical one. The barbed wire also plays another role, as it was meant to deter one from using the blade, while also containing the emotion. The parts and pieces that make up this dagger, also reverence a biblical context, with the nail, thorns, and blood all alluding to the self-sacrifice involved.
This dagger was made as a conceptual piece that was designed to convey both depression and self-sacrifice. The blade that makes up this dagger is actually a giant, crooked, cut nail and through a heat treatment process, was blackened to translate as the embodiment of the emotion. The cross guard was carved out of mahogany and set with two garnets to represent the emotional pain and the blood spilled from using the dagger. The handle is wrapped in black lamb’s skin with a noticeable spiral stitch, representing a wound that never heals. The barbed wire that is wrapped around the handle protrudes and digs into the leather as a reference to the physical pain and the sacrifice needed to be able to use the device. This suggests that an emotional pain is sometimes greater than a physical one. The barbed wire also plays another role, as it was meant to deter one from using the blade, while also containing the emotion. The parts and pieces that make up this dagger, also reverence a biblical context, with the nail, thorns, and blood all alluding to the self-sacrifice involved.
Stuck In Time / Armor Up
17.5 x 12 x 12 inches
Made from materials and objects the smith would have used or made. This piece represents the rise and fall of society in relation to the trends that occur within the constraints of time. The spiral blade ascending from the shield, represents time. The chainmail represents humanity, though it is movable it is hard fastened to "time". The boss's domed shape reflects the spiral blade, regardless of where the viewer is, concluding that this fate is inescapable. Without time nothing would exist and yet with it everything will come to an end. Humanity can only try to postpone the inevitable. (There are 12 bolts around the premier of the buckler representing the hours on a clock.)
Made from materials and objects the smith would have used or made. This piece represents the rise and fall of society in relation to the trends that occur within the constraints of time. The spiral blade ascending from the shield, represents time. The chainmail represents humanity, though it is movable it is hard fastened to "time". The boss's domed shape reflects the spiral blade, regardless of where the viewer is, concluding that this fate is inescapable. Without time nothing would exist and yet with it everything will come to an end. Humanity can only try to postpone the inevitable. (There are 12 bolts around the premier of the buckler representing the hours on a clock.)
Cultural Chaos / The World Runs On Clockwork
15 x 14.5 x 7 inches
This piece specifically focused on the movement of different cultures through time in a physical and multi layered, implied meaning. By turning the crank the individual cultures as represented by knife blades, move side to side and up and down at different rates. This movement represent the cultures interacting with each other, moving against each other, clashing, moving apart, rising in power, or the falling in power that occurs through the course of time. The round shapes represents the earth while the time element is represented by the gears inside hinting to the old saying that, “the world runs on clockwork”.
This piece was made out of AAA ebony, metal, and acrylic.
This piece specifically focused on the movement of different cultures through time in a physical and multi layered, implied meaning. By turning the crank the individual cultures as represented by knife blades, move side to side and up and down at different rates. This movement represent the cultures interacting with each other, moving against each other, clashing, moving apart, rising in power, or the falling in power that occurs through the course of time. The round shapes represents the earth while the time element is represented by the gears inside hinting to the old saying that, “the world runs on clockwork”.
This piece was made out of AAA ebony, metal, and acrylic.
Wormhole Galaxy / Our Place Among The Stars
21 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches
This piece was created to convey our understanding of the universe and our place among it. The design of the piece was made to resemble that of an Armillary sphere (a measuring and mapping device used by astronomers). Mirrors were utilized to reflect our universe. The center plane is representative of the plane of existence and the two-mirrored sides each represent a universe parallel to each other with ours in between. When lined up, these mirrors reflect infinity, a universe within a universe that goes on forever. Theoretically this is believed to be the case with black holes, as such the flip side to this universe is a black hole, to better represent this idea. The center of the galaxy illuminates in the dark to reflect all the stars etched into the blue acrylic glass.
This piece was created to convey our understanding of the universe and our place among it. The design of the piece was made to resemble that of an Armillary sphere (a measuring and mapping device used by astronomers). Mirrors were utilized to reflect our universe. The center plane is representative of the plane of existence and the two-mirrored sides each represent a universe parallel to each other with ours in between. When lined up, these mirrors reflect infinity, a universe within a universe that goes on forever. Theoretically this is believed to be the case with black holes, as such the flip side to this universe is a black hole, to better represent this idea. The center of the galaxy illuminates in the dark to reflect all the stars etched into the blue acrylic glass.
Time Worm / Bending Time
7.5 x 5.25 x 17 inches
This piece was influenced by the motion of time through space and man's feeble attempt to measure time with a susceptible construct, influenced and built within it. A clock!
Unlike what is believed, time does not run in a straight line. Time bends and contorts through space due to gravity. The suspended chain is representative of the line of time in “space”. The gear shaped ring used to operate the device is located in the middle of a clock face.
As the ring is moved, the chain starts to bend and contort. If moved in a circular pattern, associated with the direction of a clock (a circle), the chain begins to move in a wave pattern.
This piece was influenced by the motion of time through space and man's feeble attempt to measure time with a susceptible construct, influenced and built within it. A clock!
Unlike what is believed, time does not run in a straight line. Time bends and contorts through space due to gravity. The suspended chain is representative of the line of time in “space”. The gear shaped ring used to operate the device is located in the middle of a clock face.
As the ring is moved, the chain starts to bend and contort. If moved in a circular pattern, associated with the direction of a clock (a circle), the chain begins to move in a wave pattern.
En-GEN / Racing Against The Clock
,14 x 8 x 13.5 inches
This sculpture represents life's desire to ascend beyond the constraints of time. Eventually everything will end and life is a fragile thing depending on so many variables to exist. To demonstrate this, life is represented by multiple objects that must function harmonious to continue to exist. The stained glass represents the genome of the human DNA, while the ball bearings represent a helix. It is through the progression of time that we get motion and effect. To work properly the candle must be lit so that light passes through the stained glass. The "mixing" of light, projected onto any surface, represents the plane of existence and its movement represents life. Too fast and the fan will blow out the candle. The hand plays a key role within this series and in this case it is man's attempt to genetically engineer and control life. Its over all shape was made to represent an engine, a mechanical construct made by man. Are we moving toward man made life?
This sculpture represents life's desire to ascend beyond the constraints of time. Eventually everything will end and life is a fragile thing depending on so many variables to exist. To demonstrate this, life is represented by multiple objects that must function harmonious to continue to exist. The stained glass represents the genome of the human DNA, while the ball bearings represent a helix. It is through the progression of time that we get motion and effect. To work properly the candle must be lit so that light passes through the stained glass. The "mixing" of light, projected onto any surface, represents the plane of existence and its movement represents life. Too fast and the fan will blow out the candle. The hand plays a key role within this series and in this case it is man's attempt to genetically engineer and control life. Its over all shape was made to represent an engine, a mechanical construct made by man. Are we moving toward man made life?
Targe / The Target
36 x 36 x 1 inches
A Targe is a round wooden shield with an exposed handhold in its center. This Frankish word when translated to old English, meaning shield and its diminutive, “target” came to mean an object at which to be aimed. Because of the exposed center, the shield had an obvious weak area. This weak point was not addressed until much later in history by way of a “boss” (metal cover). The concept of this piece directly references gaming and its link to real life scenarios. The weak point in its center is the primary target, whereas the boss offers limited protection. The rings and the point system directly reference the game of darts where the center hit would be the objective in the game. This reference to gaming is reinforced by the limited invulnerability written across the removable boss to further relate to an upgrade one would often find within a video game.
This shield is made of solid oak pinned together with wooden pegs. The rim of the shield has a seamless piece of rawhide.
A Targe is a round wooden shield with an exposed handhold in its center. This Frankish word when translated to old English, meaning shield and its diminutive, “target” came to mean an object at which to be aimed. Because of the exposed center, the shield had an obvious weak area. This weak point was not addressed until much later in history by way of a “boss” (metal cover). The concept of this piece directly references gaming and its link to real life scenarios. The weak point in its center is the primary target, whereas the boss offers limited protection. The rings and the point system directly reference the game of darts where the center hit would be the objective in the game. This reference to gaming is reinforced by the limited invulnerability written across the removable boss to further relate to an upgrade one would often find within a video game.
This shield is made of solid oak pinned together with wooden pegs. The rim of the shield has a seamless piece of rawhide.
Targe and Boss / Power Ups
24 x 24 x 2.5
A Targe is a round wooden shield with an exposed handhold in its center. This Frankish word when translated to old English, meaning shield and its diminutive, “target” came to mean an object at which to be aimed. Because of the exposed center the shield had an obvious weak area. This weak point that was not addressed until much later in history by way of a “boss” (metal cover). The concept of this piece directly references gaming and its link to real life scenarios. The weak point in its center is the primary target whereas the boss offers limited protection. The rings and the point system directly reference the game of darts where the center hit would be the objective in the game. This reference to gaming is reinforced by the limited invulnerability written across the removable boss to further relate to an upgrade one would often find within a video game.
This shield is made of solid oak pinned together with wooden pegs. The rim of the shield has a seamless piece of rawhide.
A Targe is a round wooden shield with an exposed handhold in its center. This Frankish word when translated to old English, meaning shield and its diminutive, “target” came to mean an object at which to be aimed. Because of the exposed center the shield had an obvious weak area. This weak point that was not addressed until much later in history by way of a “boss” (metal cover). The concept of this piece directly references gaming and its link to real life scenarios. The weak point in its center is the primary target whereas the boss offers limited protection. The rings and the point system directly reference the game of darts where the center hit would be the objective in the game. This reference to gaming is reinforced by the limited invulnerability written across the removable boss to further relate to an upgrade one would often find within a video game.
This shield is made of solid oak pinned together with wooden pegs. The rim of the shield has a seamless piece of rawhide.
The Controller / King of the Realm
8.75 x 7.25 x 1.5
This crown was made out of solid brass with simulated glass pearls, pinned around the entire perimeter. The crown "jewels" are game buttons from an X Box controller. The idea behind this piece was the power one welds in something as benign as a controller, rather it be a button of war or the remote to the television. This controller points directly to gaming and its link to control as you never could in reality.
This crown was made out of solid brass with simulated glass pearls, pinned around the entire perimeter. The crown "jewels" are game buttons from an X Box controller. The idea behind this piece was the power one welds in something as benign as a controller, rather it be a button of war or the remote to the television. This controller points directly to gaming and its link to control as you never could in reality.