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MID-SIZED SCULPTURES

SUSPENDED IN PLEXI...​

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The origin of the concept - I was searching for a way to create sculpture that corresponded to the way I see sculptures in my mind: floating free without support or distracting connecting links between various layers. First I suspended bronze or iron layers within square Plexiglas columns resting on corner pieces of Plexiglas. Dark River Crossover was made in this way.

 

As I refined the concept, the Plexi columns were made in shorter segments that then were fit together with bronze pins in each corner allowing the sections to fit exactly. This allowed for less visual distraction and easier transportation and assembly.

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Dark River Crossover 

1979

Cast bronze  / Oil

 

Dark River Crossover is an intriguing bronze work, ominously featuring a precarious stepped, sagging bridge over a dark river.

 

Wyrick sent her slides and portfolio to many arts registries and art collections around the United States and was contacted by Emil Mathis, the agent for the SCJohnson Wax Art Collection in Racine, Wisconsin, whose collection is highly acclaimed. The SCJohnson headquarters were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Mr. Mathis scheduled a trip to Iowa City to select a piece by Wyrick for the SCJohnson collection and Dark River Crossover was his choice.

Beach of Irrationality

1985

Cast iron  / Chrome

 

Beach of Irrationality was one of Wyrick’s first uses of cast iron and chrome in a sculpture. The ladders can be read in serial fashion as either sinking or emerging from the waves.

Shadows & Paths

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1992

Cast bronze / Plexi / Oils / Formica

 

Shadows & Paths – paths on its top and bottom layers replicate each other, but its seemingly unrelated layer floats between the two and becomes a “metaphysical layer.” (When it was first shown at the Arts Iowa City gallery, this sculpture was favorably reviewed by the Des Moines Register’s art critic at that time: Nick Baldwin)

Nick Baldwin Review DM Register 03-17-79.jpg

Chance of the Move

1985

Cast bronze / Plexi / Oils / Formica

 

Chance of the Move is shown installed in office space. The owner provided the pedestal of stone that enhanced the sculpture and coordinated it with a Stephan Schultz painting.

Islands of Thought

1991 – 1994

Cast sillicon brass / Plexi / Oils

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The ladders draw viewers to its various levels and the grouping on top might be interpreted in human terms as being in a safe community while ladders below are having difficulty reaching the forest above.

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Island of Thought was very complex to cast for the foundry Wyrick was working with at that time. After she began working with American Bronze Casting in Wisconsin, she became sure that ABC’s process would have made casting this piece less difficult.

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