D’Arcy Bellamy
I am a self-taught object maker. Working in an unorthodox material and technique, I create shapes that I find beautiful. I aim for lightness, surprise, and playfulness.
I work in a palette of form, scale, curves, color, light, balance and repetition and strive to engage the senses of sight, touch and wonder.
The spiral forms I create develop quite spontaneously. I value the flaws that are part of all of my work and that ultimately create an aesthetic of authentic imperfection.
The work is composed of elemental shapes like lines, circles, squares and spirals or variations of the human form.
I utilize the natural patina from the pipe, grinding wheels and rough edges to add texture to each piece.
Compared with earlier creations, some of my recent work is smaller. I have found it liberating to work in a scale without so much at risk.
Most metal sculptors work in an additive process or one that involves casting. In a process I call subtractive fabrication, I work more like a stone carver, removing material and adding mostly space and line. I enjoy releasing the energy that is stored in each length of pipe.
I find great satisfaction in the hard, dirty, physical work and long hours in the studio solving aesthetic problems. I enjoy the unstructured nature of the creating as well as the freedom to change direction at any time.
I find inspiration in nature, myth, fabric, architecture, tattoos, advertising and fashion.