From the Archives: Bronze Work

In 2011, I was inspired by my research at RMIT to attend a workshop at Arcosanti. It was here that I learned about working with metals, although I had studied Sculpture at the Victorian College of the Arts, part of the University of Melbourne in Australia. 

I spent a great deal of time working on building stairs, made from railroad ties, and working on various Paulo Soleri sculptures, with resident sculptor and foundry member, Cliff Hersted. 

Below are some images of a piece that was part of the 'Geospheres' collection.

2011, Arcosanti, Arizona. A sculpture from the 'Geospheres' collection, with the #118 bell attached.

Cosanti Foundation President Jeff Stein and behind Paolo Soleri is workshop participant Kyla Woods who worked with Cliff on this assembly.

This place was magical, not only because it took you to another place, somewhere completely displaced from the rest of the world, but because the people you meet there have an individual footprint, destined to be eternally curious.

I will never forget the long nights in the Arizonian desert, watching stars and satellites sail through the vast, open sky. How enchanted we were, mesmerised by the expanse and droplets of light, that we never spoke. Instead, we sat hypnotised. 

For me, it brought on waves of nostalgia, always reminding me of home - a place I grew up in Australia, called Darwin. 

2011. Arcosanti, Arizona. The August workshop graduates. From left to right: Sean-Paul VonAncken, Milo Pearse, Kyla Woods, Ryan Jones, Viridiana Acosta León from Mexico, and in front: Sasha and Jenna Dern. Photograph by David DeGomez.

2011. Arcosanti, Arizona. A montage of memories.