Riis Burwell Artist Statement

I am always interested in participating in public art projects because I believe in the intrinsic value that art adds to the man-made environment. 

During the past 25 years I have been creating abstract sculpture almost exclusively in metal.  While a variety of metals are available for fabricating sculpture, I have a strong preference for steel, stainless steel and bronze because of their permanence and inherent beauty as well as their duality of character.   They are, at the same time, utilitarian yet graceful and have the ability to evoke a variety of textures through surface treatment: from naturally rusted to smooth and gleaming; from a soft natural patina to deep brown or black. They also lend themselves equally well to both tabletop pieces and monumental sculpture.  Since I do not cast any part of a sculpture, but rather hand-fabricate all shapes for each particular piece, the final product is unique unto itself.  These metals demand of the artist, but perform in equal measure.

My sculpture is an exploration–emotional, spiritual and physical–of what is unseen in nature. I seek to create a tangible expression of the intangible.  The work draws its vitality from my fascination with the opposing forces of geometry and entropy that underlie the structure of the physical world.  The delicate balance between order and chaos, growth and decay of all matter intrigues and inspires me.  I attempt to sculpturally express this dynamic tension in my work through the graceful juxtaposition of form and line in opposing abstract elements and through the use of positive and negative space.  Often, a sculpture is composed of a central angular shape of substantial mass intertwined with more delicate, rounded sculptural forms.    Successful artistic synthesis of these forms results in sculpture infused with energy.

I would draw from my prior experience in creating Essential Energies commissioned in 2011 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company is a 10 foot abstract bronze sculpture designed to suggest a flame. In 2010 I completed two sculptures for Serenade Towers, a Hong Kong Condominium. Entropy #42 is a 12.5 foot bronze & stainless steel wall piece and Entropy #29 is a 7 foot bronze & stainless steel free standing piece.

Spirit Form Emerging Version 2 was commissioned in 2004 by the American Nevada Company for an $80 million mixed-use project. The sculpture stands 21 feet tall and is the focal point for the central plaza.

In 2001, I made a “Percent-for-Art” sculpture for the Burbank Airport Business Plaza. I designed and fabricated Through the Clouds, a 13-foot bronze and stainless steel piece. In that same year, I installed a Percent-for-Art sculpture for the Vineyard Creek Inn and Convention Center in Santa Rosa, California. “Spirit Form: Emerging,” is an elegant 11 foot bronze sculpture that was inspired by 9/11 2001.