Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment. ~Dogen
Concrete, steel, epoxy clay, and electrical part.
Searching For The Key To Enlightenment.
This is the first in a series of sculptures I created before starting my blog. After being injured at work and finding myself with a lot of free time, I thought I would get back into sculpting. I used to work as a sculptor in various capacities in the past… For a company that makes rides for Six Flags and similar parks, as a foundryman at a fine arts bronze foundry, as well as freelance work.
I fell back to sculpting as a default, when I didn’t know what else to do. All of my efforts are put into my blog now, but this sculpture, and the others in the series, illustrate the sense of frustration I was feeling with my life path. I was always an artist, so that’s what I had to do again… Well, no.
About the piece
The enlightenment, and the key that turns it on…
This sculpture is functional. I assembled the components around the lighting elements of a lamp. Yes, it’s a pun…
I enjoy using found objects, such as the old skate key, and building a new reality with them. Bits I find on the ground can be combined into something new and even useful… I like that idea.
The figure is created from epoxy putty and wire, then painted. It symbolizes everyone who is searching…
We can be tattered and falling apart, but something drives us onward, searching for…?
This is what I was doing before I started this blog. My work seemed a bit self serving… I wasn’t helping anyone, and I made no effort to get these sculptures out on display… I wasn’t content just being a sculptor anymore.
I’ve found my path now, and I enjoy sharing my progress with everyone… And if I help others to do the same, it’s all a bonus…
Related articles
- Enlightenment (engl382fall2013.wordpress.com)
Doug Does Life 
Very creative 🙂
Thank you!
I really like this piece. I like the movement, that the climb does not look so easy and the functionality of it.
Thank you. You summed it up pretty well…
I have agree with the previous comment that the clime sure looks daunting. Should he some how make it to the key managing to turn the switch from that position is hare to imagine.
If only he could complete the circuit from where he is. However, being made of wire would make if very difficult to not get electrocuted.
Fun piece – best of luck….
looks like a mountaineer wielding an ice axe.
Sometimes the struggle may call for an axe!