Category: New Works – Click on thumbnail to see full size image

Te Deum – II

Why is this sculpture named “Te Deum?” Isn’t that the title of an ancient song praising the holiness of ordinary life? Yes. Charles Reznikoff’s poem titled “Te Deum” suggests the same. Those thoughts were on my mind as a sculpted this piece.

Te Deum

Not because of victories

I sing,

having none,

but for the common sunshjne,

the breeze,

the largess of the spring.

Not for victory

but for the day’s work done

as we’ll as I am able;

not for a seat upon the dais

but at the common table.

Resilience

“Resilience”

24″ x 24″ x 72″

Steel, wood

With this sculpture I try to capture the experience of failure or disappointment from which new life rises. The sculpture includes burned wood and ash. From the ash a contemporary white steel form emerges. My hope is that viewers will tarry long enough to recognize a similar experience in their lives.

Homage to Trees

60" x 60" x 10 gauge

This sculpture began  when I tried to fashion a tree made of wood. The piece became incredibly heavy. Though tenuously clamped to a secure post in my workshop, it was difficult to secure. Twice it fell on me. Once it hurt. For weeks my hands turned to other projects.

Slowly it dawned on me that it would be quicker and safer to cut the tree from a sheet of steel using a plasma cutter. It was.  Hence the sculpture.

Trees have memories. Their rings catalogue in surprising detail a history of drought, disease, humidity, floods, DNA, fires, heat, cold, trauma and homes for all manner of creatures.  Call this sculpture a homage to trees.