Renowned US artist Lanny Bergner’s amazing metal mesh creations will challenge perceptions in a new exhibition, Life in the Universe, opening at Newcastle’s Timeless Textiles Gallery in July.
Created using industrially-woven bronze, brass, aluminum and stainless steel mesh, silicone and wire, the works in Life in the Universe seem to float ethereally, mimicing living organisms.
Lanny says that biomorphic forms, such as those found in plant biology, micro-organisms and viruses, inspired the making of the suspended screens and wall installations in Life in the Universe.
His recent work employs pyrography techniques to ‘flame paint’ abstract imagery onto stainless steel mesh using a propane torch, which he then turns into sculptures and multiple-forms wall and room installations.
Lanny says that biomorphic forms, such as those found in plant biology, micro-organisms and viruses, inspired the making of the suspended screens and wall installations in Life in the Universe.
Brassotica Swarm “Musings about extraterrestrial life and cosmology also informed the work,” he explains. “They engage the viewer with glimpses into a world where nature and man-made material coalesce and celebrate the mystery and wonder of it all.”
Lanny, who was born in Anacortes, Washington in 1952, has been creating biomorphic and geometric constructions and installations out of metal mesh since 1983.
Life in the Universe will be opened by Brett Alexander (UoN) 6-8pm on 21 July and is on show from 20 July- 14 August.
The Art of Metal Mesh-Working: Techniques and Process with Lanny Bergner
During this two-day workshop fiber/sculptural basketry artist, Lanny Bergner will give a PowerPoint lecture documenting the step-by-step construction process of making four to five metal mesh sculptural works. He will also show selected images of past studio works and installation projects done over the span of his thirty year art career. Lanny will demonstrate his working techniques; this will include mesh connecting techniques, mesh forming into 3D shapes, torch burning/flame-painting on stainless steel mesh, wire edging with colored coated wire and he will demonstrate how he works with silicone and glass frit in combination with metal mesh. Students will make one biomorphic heat-treated stainless steel mesh basket and if time allows students can experiment making other small forms.
Dates: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm 23/24 July 2016
Cost: $260 including a delicious morning tea and lunch
Venue: Timeless Textiles Gallery
Estimated material fee ($40) payable to the artist
Venue : Timeless Textiles gallery
