John Searles' Artist's Statement #2
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The
wall sculptures of John Searles reflect his enduring interests in
mathematics, visual pleasure, energy and freedom. Working with copper,
brass, stainless steel or aluminum, sometimes melting one on the other,
these wall sculptures are puzzle pieces.
Searles cuts up one piece of patinated metal into many then
reassembles them into a more visually stimulating, higher level of
order, often large-scale. Some of his sculptures are weavings, but all
have some component of an under-over dimensional quality. His purpose is
to delight the brain and visual center in a non-cerebral manner as Music
for the Eyes. |
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Much
of Searles’ recent work has been with copper, creating large wall
sculptures with a variety of patinas. Copper is a miraculous material
that can be readily shaped then colored with flame and/or chemicals to
create a remarkably large palette, including varying shades of reds,
browns, yellows, greens, blacks, blues and rainbow hues. In addition to
the standard practices of welding, brazing and soldering, Searles has
developed a proprietary technique of laminating the colored copper to
wood. Geometric shapes are cut, one from inside the other then
reassembled into an imaginative wall sculpture possessing depth and
dimension. It’s a time-consuming, labor-intensive process but, as a
labor of love, the results justify the effort. Searles
works with his wife in a 5600 square foot converted tool and die factory
in the scenic resort town of Harbert, Michigan. Located on 3 acres of
verdant property, 1/2 mile from the Lake Michigan (the beautiful sunsets
and white sandy beaches side) the building includes a 1600 square foot
gallery with high ceilings, a substantial work area with two overhead
garage doors and a truck dock, and ample space for their residence. He does not use outside
services, such as foundries. Searles
finished art school more than 20 years ago and has been teaching himself
ever since. He develops his own designs and figures out the processes as
he goes. Searles enjoys doing custom work and designing site-specific
work. Please tell him what you are looking for! |