12 x 12 series A —
by Barry W. Sheehan

Description:

In this series of sculptures I start with a 12"x 12" piece of copper sheet. I hand hammer the copper into an abstract face. I start these sculptures with no idea of what the face will look like, which allows me to create an interaction between myself and the copper. Every time I strike the copper with a hammer the metal moves in predictable and unpredictable ways. Using the unpredicted movements of the metal to my advantage in the creation of an abstract face creates the interaction. When the face is completed the copper is given a patina. Each sculpture has a 21"x 19" outside frame and an abstract inside frame. The inside frame accentuates the features and motions of the face and elevates the copper out of the frame which gives a more dynamic and three dimensional effect. All frames are hand painted with colors selected for each sculpture.