Sculpture

Sculptor: Michael Peterson

2007

Madrone burl

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A rough-hewn, rectangular sculpture made from a burl of madrone wood displays a large, irregular cavity on its front face and deep cracks throughout. The wood grain is highly textured and varied. The striking rock formations of Bryce Canyon in Utah inspired Michael Peterson to explore land surfaces through his vessels, sandblasting and bleaching in order to translate the idea of erosive forces working to sculpt and patinate the surface of wood. Those vessels led to recent madrone sculptures such as this one, carved damp with a chainsaw and left to shrink and warp as it dries. Working intuitively, Peterson allows the forms to reveal themselves as he goes along. He sandblasts and stains the wood to exaggerate the grain and texture. Ironically, these highly worked pieces look as though they were found in the natural landscape.