Soapstone and Cast Iron, 54" x 12" x 5", 2008.

The creation of this sculpture was a very educational and engaging experience for me that involved quite a few very technical steps. This sculpture consists of three separate forms all modeled directly in wax and cast around soapstone. The open nature of the forms beckons one to look inside, and a carved piece of soapstone is contained within. The soapstone pieces were carved and then wax was modeled around them. The pieces were then embedded in bonded sand molds, the wax was melted out, and molten iron was poured in and cast around the stones to replace the wax. The pieces were designed to interconnect visually when displayed on a wall. When completed cast, removed from the mold, and the sprues and vents (channels in the mold to deliver the metal and vent gas) were removed, the iron was then allowed to rust to achieve a visual contrast between the metal and stone.