“Lid Tree of Life” by Charles Luthene.
“Fish Lid” by Evenson Thenor
Does this sculpture on the left look funny to you? Do you wonder about that hole in the trunk of the tree? How about this one on the right? What about those eyes? Are they a little weird?
Well, maybe they look funny to you and if so, that’s fine. You know what you like. No argument there. But if you bear with me just a bit and I’ll tell you why they look amazing and clever to us. The hole in the tree and the eyes of the fish are barrel spouts. What was old has been made new again! The old spouts for pumping fluid in or out of the drum have been incorporated into the design of the new sculpture. The recycled lid is in clear evidence in the revised form.
Artist discussing his idea for a new lid design.
Barrels stuffed with leaves, ready for burning. The first stage of recycling the metal and preparing the metal to become art.
The first artist to integrate the spouts into his sculptures was Evenson Thenor. A couple of
years ago, It’s Cactus sponsored his visit to California to do artist demonstrations throughout the Central Coast. When he arrived at the airport in San Francisco, he came off the plane with an inspired idea in his head and a gleam in his eye. When we asked him what he had in mind for his work he said, “I have an idea in here,” as he pointed to his head, “I don’t know if you are going to like it. But I think you will.” Over the next several days we watched in amazement as the idea took form on the metal. Slowly, the features of the fish took shape around the spouts of the oil drum lid. When it was finished, he presented it as a gift to Casey, saying, “I can make more – a little bit different, if you like.” Yes! We like! His new design is “Fish Lid” pictured above right.
Weird or clever? You decide…
Contributed by Linda for It’s Cactus