MID-SIZED SCULPTURES
SUSPENDED IN PLEXI...
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.
Dark River Crossover
1979
Cast bronze / Oils
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
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)
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
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.
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.
Beneath Sheltering Islands
1991 – 1994
Cast sillicon brass / Plexi / Oils / Ash
Beneath Sheltering Islands indicates two levels of danger to any passengers inside: one is indicated by the remnants of fire inside the boats and the other by the whirlpool the boats are entering. Sheltering islands afford possible comfort and/or protection.
Entering In
1992
Cast sillicon brass / Plexi / Oils / Ash
Entering In suggests that the reflection of the boats placed on the outside of the Plexi column virtually “enters into” the waves on the bronze plate inside the column. This was an especially successful and intriguing sculpture and was purchased by the UIHC (University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics) for its permanent collection after it was shown there.
Deep Interior Crossover
1992
Cast sillicon brass / Plexi / Oils / Ash
Deep Interior Crossover allows access to the painted bronze sculpture inside. The tree patterns create a forest as they overlap when viewed from the side and they cast significant shadows when illuminated by the sun. The viewer is encouraged to imagine being inside the sculpture and attempting to cross the rapid stream on precarious steps.
Barriers
1992
Cast silicon brass / Glass / Oils
Barriers a work of bronze and glass, again features ladders and can be read from top to bottom or the reverse or as individual statements of instability and/or threat.
Fires of Trial - Fires of Freedom
1992
Cast silicon brass / Oils / Plexi
Fires of Trial - Fires of Freedom evolved from a threat to a close friend. The female Cycladic figure has just successfully exited through the flames of that threat.
Thoughtmaker
1992
Bronze embedded color / Scored plexi
Through experimentation Wyrick found that certain types of Plexi could be etched with a power grinder and the grooves filled with wax colors. She regrets not having explored this possibility further.