* - Innovators and Pioneers in the Field of Contemporary Wire Sculpture
*Laura J. Antebi World Traveler and wire sculpture pioneer Laura J Antebi endeavours to unite art with the spiritual essence through the sense of the transitory; to create figures that convey spontaneity and freedom of movement. Currently based in a Scottish castle, Laura continues to combine travel and study with her creative process.
Bill Arnold It wasn't a bison that Bill saw, but fence wire, carefully rolled by the local farmer and left in the field. The rolls of wire were cut and separated, each single strand of wire twisted and bent into massive heads, muscles and feet. The wire almost seemed to come to life... Today, sixteen years after that original morning vision, William Arnold's wire sculptures are on exhibit around the world.
*Ruth Asawa, creator of elegant, abstract organic wire forms and installations of huge geometric wire sculptures, tied or crocheted on a monumental scale with a strong sense of topological awareness. She began her explorations with wire in the 1950s; her works are frequently exhibited in museums. asawa is a dedicated art activist, inspiring young children to adopt an innovative approach to using found materials.
William Ashley-Norman of the UK has worked chicken wire for about 17 years. "My father aked me to clear some wire from the garden, this promptly turned up in my bedroom as a dragon. I think it was something to do with avoiding revision." The only tools used are a small pair of bent nosed pliers, and a pair of spring loaded wire cutters; he created a series of mannequins for a Covent Garden shop.
Wendy Ballen of Northern california, USA, started working with wire in 2000. She applies a deep understanding of internal structure gained during 20 years studying anatomy, physiology, bodywork and Tai Chi. She uses her hands and an assortment of pliers to create a variety of whimsical forms in copper, steel, brass and silver wire.
Todd Batt began wire sculpture after losing his sight in 1979. He states, "As a sculptor I see my art with my fingers... "The most difficult aspect of wire sculpture, is not in the crafting, but in the design...In determining how to make the artwork. After the design is created in my mind, simply bending the wire with my hands and pliers completes my vision."
*Stan Bennett Creator of incredibly complex "marble machines" and other kinetic wire sculptures, wire pioneer Stan Bennett maintains his kinetic wire sculpture studio in Ferndale, CA.
*Elizabeth Berrien, "Godmother of Wire", pioneered the field of contemporary wire sculpture since 1968. She creates museum quality wire sculptures of people, animals and objects from complexly interlaced single strands of wire. Berrien invented her rare technique, a hybrid of lace-making, topology, plane geometry and structural engineering. Her works are in museums, galleries, airports, parks and zoos, and are collected internationally. Founder of Wire Sculpture International, the worldwide guild of wire sculptors. Her wire sculpture demonstrations helped trigger a new generation of wire sculptors.
Simon Berson was first drawn to wire "perhaps with a visit to MOMA, seeing Calder's wire circus. Perhaps beginning with making toys out of pipe cleaners. I am not really sure exactly when I became a wire sculptor. But it was long ago. The sculptures have grown to ever-larger proportions, using larger gauge wire (up to 9 gauge now), and some approach eight feet in height. Many are made from recycled materials (bed springs and fence wire for example). I am not quite sure what the compulsion is to create, but it remains a powerful positive force in my life.
Micki Bleily has been exploring with wire for over a decade, now specializing in wire jewelry.
*Giles Blunden is considered Britain's foremost authority on weaving wire by hand. He owns James Gilbert & Son, the London-based wire weaving company originally established in 1780, which produces wire products from hand-woven brass mesh for fire screens to brass mesh coverings for the arrow slits in the Tower of London.
*Lee Bonticou mixes wire with other media to create virtual explosions of line, tension and energy. Starting in the 1950's and 1960's, she addresses wire sculpture to create constellation-like mixed media constructions and semi-abstract forms.
Brandywine Jewelers Forum [now archived], a lively and informative message board for wire jewelers from around the world.
Sarah Jane Brown, working with knitted wire, creates a whimsical collection of dogs, cats. cows, humans, even reindeer and chickens.
*Johanne Brunet of Canada, a wire jeweller, creates crocheted, lacelike wearable art with a lively delicacy of design.
Daniel Burke has a thing about copper scorpions. He builds all his sculptures by hand, using a special braiding and twisting method with no welds or soldering of the wire. Sizes vary from wire sculpture scorpions small enough to sit on your fingernail to 6 foot tall sculptures. Daniel has sold his sculptures all over the world.
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