Artists & Galleries / Metal Sculptures
UPFRONT ASSEMBLING THE LOCAL AESTHETIC
Awe-Inspiring Alloys
METALWORKERS JULIE SETTERHOLM AND NEVADA SILVA SHOWCASE LARGE-SCALE SCULPTURES INSPIRED BY NATURE .
By STEFANEE FREEDMAN
Viewing unique sculptures around Laguna Beach — sometimes on special loan to City Hall or exhibited at Heisler Park — is not uncommon in this art-enthused town .
When imagining sculpted art pieces , what comes to mind ? Is it magnificent statues of marble or stone — like Michelangelo ’ s David , Auguste Rodin ’ s The Thinker and Alexandros of Antioch ’ s Venus de Milo ? Or do you think of
grotesque faces sculpted into Gothic architecture ? Maybe metal alien sculptures from artists like H . R . Giger ?
Modern carvings use all kinds of materials to create intricate 3D images that are brought to life rather than existing on a flat painted canvas . Two local Sawdust Art Festival exhibitors have re-imagined metal sculpting to incorporate Laguna ’ s surrounding nature in tangible works of art .
Welded Wonders
N ow a metal sculptor who showcases her work at the Sawdust Art Festival , Julie Setterholm started by experimenting with found objects , turning them into art pieces at an early age . She attributes her creative style to being surrounded by artists from many different mediums in her childhood .
A metal creation ( above ) in The Lovebug Collection by Julie Setterholm ( top left ) of Copperfeel Enameling
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