About this Sculpture
- Artist: Terry Westra
- Medium: Stone and Steel
- Size: 48" x 10" x 48"
Stone to Steel
About the Artist
Terry Westra’s first sculpture was created out of pipes from his dock. He inherited his father’s welding equipment and taught himself how to weld. His son is also a sculptor who creates art from scrap metal.
Living and working in Grand Rapids in the 70’s, Westra witnessed the installation of “La Grande Vitesse” by Alexander Calder. Calder’s work inspired him to create his first sculptures, mobiles and stabiles.
Terry’s trips to local scrap yards were highlights in his art endeavors. The discoveries of unique forms and surfaces were the beginnings of his future work.
“Scrap is beautiful” a quote of Louis Padnos, owner of Louis Padnos Iron and Metal Co. became Westra’s mantra.
His metal collages were formed with the shapes he carefully selects from his own ever growing scrap pile.
“A piece of metal has to talk to me” before he incorporates into his work. The challenges of bringing together a number of scraps to create a piece that works as a whole is difficult yet satisfying.
Location
174 Center St., Douglas, MI 49406
Experience this Sculpture
Walk around the sculpture
- It is the intention of Westra to have a front and back to this piece. Notice on the front there are two forms.
- Find the 2 geometric forms and 2 natural forms.
- The circle and the long lines are hard edge with no variations. The stone and the molten steel on 3 rods are softer edges with random movement.
Step up closer to the sculpture
- Some of the same colors are in the stone and the steel. The colors have different qualities.
- The stone looks like a watercolor with layers of color. The steel has a very solid, opaque color.
Walk back from the sculpture
- Observe how the stone and the steel are put together so there is overlapping. The stone peeks out from the circle of steel.
- The side of the circle shows the empty space behind the stone.
- Why did the artist assemble the pieces in this manner?
