Guild of Metalsmiths' Gallery:
Work by Chris Ray 1937 - 2000
My early professional years were devoted to studio works of carved wood sculptures, shown and sold through galleries and exhibitions. This work evolved into a more extensive use of iron, the result of an association with Howard Keyser, a traditional Gothic-styled, master blacksmith. After three years of training from Mr. Keyser, and assisting him on major forged iron gates for the Washington Cathedral, I devoted my energies to creating sculptured works almost exclusively in metal.
Since 1967, the focus of my efforts has led to architectural commissions and major exhibition pieces. Among the works created, were fountains, outdoor sculptures, forged iron sculptured gates, and decorative architectural detailing. The corporate and private clients, who commissioned my work, and collectors who bought them, are nationally based.
Since 1992, my work has evolved into two separate but complimentary paths. One direction is the continuation on a restricted architectural scale, of the architectural metalwork.
The second and the most important path is a return to my fundamental roots, as a sculptor, creating a new series of studio works that most appropriately expresses what I now need to say.
The series entitled 'QUADREVERZ" is an interpretive mythology created principally in iron. The grouping of sculptures are augmented with interactive components consisting of writings, kinetic performances, mixed media installation pieces, sound compositions and drawings. This work simply fulfills itself and has, of necessity, no material or applied function.
All the myths, legends and folktales being written and produced in metal as "QUADREVERZ", are a compilation of metaphors, expressing my understanding of what The Whole Thing Is About. It is a personal journey, that is non-circular, yet is interconnected with past, present and future.
Faces and masks of universal truths and contradictions, are elusive shadows that piqued my interest for as long as I can remember. It is at this stage of life that I feel ready and prepared to encounter these issues in my own way.
Sculpture
Christopher T. Ray - sculptor,
Philadelphia, PA
A retrospective Exhibition of Chris' Work was shown at the 2002 ABANA conference in LaCrosse, WI.
A Slide show of the exhibition.
More of Chris' work and educational articles may be seen at his website address: http://www.chrisray.com
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