114 ARTS & SCULPTURES
7. There is clearly an extraordinary amount of craftsmanship behind the polished finishes, etched details and complex forms. Could you take us behind the scenes of creating one of your sculptures— from the initial concept through to the finished installation?
Every piece begins with meticulous mathematics. I calculate flat patterns, cut lengths, and geometric helix angles before any metal is touched. Once the engineering is mapped out, the workshop phase begins. This involves cutting the raw sheets, shaping the materials through custom-built forming apparatus, slip-roller constraint jigs, and using techniques like hidden plug welding to ensure the physical connections remain completely seamless. Once the raw form is built, the extensive finishing process takes over, meticulously grinding the surface to manipulate light reflection, followed by the application of automotive-grade clear coats, patinas, or bespoke paints to seal the work.
8. You use the phrase“ destined for legacy.” What does legacy mean to you as an artist, and what would you hope happens to a Christopher Henderson sculpture decades after it leaves your studio?
By their very nature, metals like aluminium, copper, and stainless steel are built to endure.“ Destined for legacy” means I am engineering heirloom pieces meant to easily
outlast us, retaining their structural integrity and aesthetic impact for generations. Decades from now, I hope these sculptures remain in families or public collections, continuing to shape the spaces they inhabit. Ultimately, I see this legacy growing. My future focus is shifting toward entirely immersive environments, expansive spaces where the boundaries between landscape, architecture, and sculptural metalwork dissolve, creating a unified experience that can be explored indefinitely.
www. modernelementsart. com
THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 79 2026