Steel Stag- Joseph Warren

Steel Stag

 

Joseph Warren (American)

Sculptures

Found Object Metal Steel with a rust paint to go outdoors

h: 61 x w: 57 in / h: 154.9 x w: 144.8 cm

2011

 

      Joseph Warren, originally from Boston, Massachusetts, was studying for a creative writing degree when he viewed a brilliant found object sculpture of a centaur at a University of Oregon student art gallery. He became so inspired that he switched his studies to welded sculpture at Portland Community College. His many welded animal sculptures are a direct result of his constant search for old steel tools and scrap steel parts found in defunct mining camps and open scrap yards, resale stores, yard and estate sales. His re-use of steel scraps diverts thousands of pounds of the countless tons of steel odds and ends from our waste stream and arranges them to function anew.

     "There are three distinct strands to my work: abstract imagery, digital photo-montage, and 3D assemblage – as with the butterfly series. I like to make the most of digital technology, but I don’t let it dictate the content of my work."--Joseph Warren, 2011.

     Maryhill Museum of Art has presented exhibitions of outdoor sculpture annually since 1996, providing Pacific Northwest sculptors with opportunities to display large scale works in an outdoor setting. In 2011, several sculptors will exhibit works to complement the 10 that comprise the museum’s permanent collection of outdoor sculpture. The sculptures will be installed throughout the museum’s sculpture garden, including a new addition by Devin Laurence Field. The sculpture garden provides a dramatic backdrop for this unique outdoor art experience. 

      This piece fits perfectly into this gallery because it is unique and has the outdoors brought into the piece.