Velocity

Fabricated painted steel, 27' x 22' x 10'

I designed this piece to reflect the essence of the work being done in SIUC’s Transportation Education Center. All of my sculptures express motion, but I felt this one needed to be super charged considering its location. My aerodynamic design choices were informed by a serendipitous visit to the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum. Velocity is one of the largest pieces built in my studio. The work progressed from a 1/48-scale (5”) maquette to a full size virtual model fully detailed down to every bolt placement and overlap of steel plates. While the parts were laser cut, all of the work to form and fabricate the ¼" thick steel plates was done by hand using traditional metalsmithing practices. Delivered in five pieces by two trucks, it was lifted by a crane and then bolted together by my staff and myself in just one day.  

Commissioned for the Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (SIUC) Transportation Education Center by the Illinois Capital Development Board (State competition, 2021)