Introducing: Fugue #2/5, Bronze

The original Fugue—painted magenta—featured in Love Life/S1 E8 Sara Yang (2020): Shown here with scene partners Syrinx (yellow/an early work) & Anna Kendrick. I love the visual punch of the bold, opaque colors I use on all of my original steel & resin works, but the surface and molecular characteristics unique to bronze make it the preferred final medium for my sculpture. Ideally suited for articulating my signature compound curves and dagger-sharp edges—most importantly—this radiant, ancient alloy has a limitless capacity for expressing beguiling, translucent patinas!

Fugue, bronze #2/5 (36h x 12w x 7in) by Dave Stevenson. Contact for purchase info/availability.

Strike up The Band

When I left CA (circa 1998) circumstances dictated that I had to leave a large bronze in the backyard of my friend Craig French, a Los Angeles sculptor. 25 years later, Strike & I have reunited in NYC.

Re-Introducing: Strike, bronze, #1/3 (1996/2023)!

Introducing GRIFFON

Two years in the making, my 7’h chimera is complete. (Aqua-Resin®/foam/steel, 84h x 65w x 22in). The pattern and puzzle of Griffon’s folded wings introduced a new level of complexity to my portfolio. Imposing asymmetry onto a symmetrical body is a challenge I’ve tackled before (e.g., Crush, Raptor, Balloon). This time I explored it within the constraints of an historic, iconic creature. I am eager to realize it in bronze—its edges honed sharp—finished with a radiant, translucent patina. This work was such a fun challenge, I’m now pondering a mischievous companion piece!

Griffon in the studio’s backyard. While setting up my tripod for this shot, a bald eagle swooped down and hovered above before disappearing to grab lunch at the neighbors farm. I was flattered it recognized its half of the chimera…

Griffon Portrait, behind StudioDave

Griffon profile, behind StudioDave in the Catskills (84h x 65w x 22in)

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I scanned my 45”h steel & resin Griffon (shown here painted gold), then created an 84”h CNC milled foam enlargement of it @ Digital Atelier (NJ). Each color of the digital file (see detail image) represents a separate section of foam—like a 70-piece puzzle—that I have begun to glue together and assemble using steel rods for reinforcement. The completed work will be sealed with resin, then top coated with paint before molding and casting it in bronze.

Acrobat @ FMC Tower/Cira Centre South in Philadelphia

Last spring, my 9’ h bronze Acrobat was purchased by a developer before I could share it here in New York City through NYC Parks’/Art in the Parks program. While I am delighted that it found a permanent home in Philadelphia, I am now confronted with the prickly decision of either creating another Acrobat (#2/3) for the exhibition or enlarging a completely different sculpture instead. 

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Repeating the same work would be easier and certainly less expensive; however provided it is financially feasable, creating a new monumental sculpture would be more professionally fullfilling. I intend to reach a final decision shortly. Meanwhile, here are a couple images of the completed Acrobat as installed in front of the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South. It’s on public display so you can visit it the next time you’re in Philly!

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