380

Perfectly Spiced, by Michael Mode

Currency:USD Category:Art / Medium - Sculptures Start Price:100.00 USD
Perfectly Spiced, by Michael Mode
All items in this auction were created, at least in part, on the wood lathe, with wood as the primary material. All are one-of-a-kind signed originals, individually created by the artist listed.
Lot #: 380
Perfectly Spiced
Purpleheart, bloodwood, yellowheart, wenge
5" x 9" x 9"

Michael Mode
Vermont, United States
Self-taught in technique and design, with technical skills learned mostly through job experience (particularly working on guitars destined for Martin Guitar Company as well as building a harpsichord and clavichord) award-winning artist Michael Mode’s distinctive work can be found in collections across the United States. His appreciation for hand- crafted objects was stimulated by over two years of world travels, particularly in Kashmir, India, and the Middle East. “I draw on the forms and long history of functional objects, especially bowls and lidded vessels, but in the refinement of the surfaces and finish, the delicacy of the turning, the geometries of design and a general appeal to the eye rather than to function, intend my pieces as art objects celebrating the beauty of the material and the profoundness of everyday life. When people ask me if they can put anything in a bowl, I often say "The bowl is already full".
Inspirations drive my work and me as well. Arising in an indefinable place, inspirations come with a burst of energy which will carry me over the often significant obstacles inherent in making something new, and sometimes give rise to a whole family of pieces created over a number of ensuing years. 200 years ago everything people used was either made by hand or grew on its own( horses, cattle, sheep, vegetable fibers, wood). The place of hand work in that world was ubiquitous and well understood and for the most part was not seen as an art form, even if beautifully made. Today nearly everything we use is factory made and utilitarian. The hand-workers now focus on the hand end of "hand-made", recalling the beauty of direct contact with the medium and the uniqueness of each hand made piece and the ability of the artist to project his or her self into the work via eye/hand/heart/mind coordination.
The melding of manufacturing and computer appears ready to spawn a whole new world of mass produced objects and possibilities, but I don't think it will replace or eliminate the truly hand made as long as humans with hands and hearts occupy this planet. I hope not.”
Estimated retail: $9825