Today we’d like to introduce you to Maxwell Carraher.
Maxwell, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been sculpting most of my life. My father has always done artistic things, and one year he was making masks for my grade school’s haunted house and there was clay laying around…
I picked some up and made some kind of horned pig man, which actually looked pretty good, or as good as a horned pig man could look I guess. Since then I’ve pursued the art of sculpting in one form or another.
About 7 years ago I started on my journey as a professional fine art sculptor.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Never. The medium I chose, specifically cast bronze sculpture is one of, if not the most, expensive and labor intensive mediums in existence. The process of creating a bronze sculpture is called the Lost Wax Technique. While being extremely expensive and labor intensive it can be quite poetic as well.
It all starts out with the original sculpture made out of clay or wax, then through a series of molds and castings, a bronze replica of the original sculpture is produced.
The original clay or wax sculpture often gets destroyed in this process. So in order to complete my work, I actually have to destroy the sculpture I’ve invested my soul into, so I can later produce a version that will withstand the elements. This provides for a very intense artistic process, to say the least.
Outside of this, in the field of art, I find what was once revolutionary has as now become the new normal. I’m referring to the styles of abstraction and minimalism. The art world is saturated with it, as it was saturated with realism centuries ago. This is not a comment on the quality of these styles, merely a statement about the inevitable pendulum swing.
My work, although sometimes surreal, is not abstract. So I find myself in the position of underdog, making work with clear imagery.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Maxwell Carraher – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Well as previously stated I am a sculptor working mainly in the medium of cast bronze. I create work as most artist’s do, based on the observation of what inspires us, whether that’s the outside world or the interior world of ourselves.
My inspiration has always been the soul, and it’s struggles and triumphs. I find this subject is the one that most consistently motivates me to push through the myriad of creative struggles that are inherent whenever you are trying to make something from nothing.
My particular medium requires much more physical work, time and money then most mediums, so my inspiration needs to be strong enough to survive all of that. I am known for my unique use of the human form, depicting scenarios that elicit deep emotional responses from the viewer.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans are to continue to push into the field of public art. I believe there are a lot of ugly experiences in the world and public art provides a much-needed break from it. It allows the viewer to step out of their problems for a moment and possibly gain a moment of clarity. And hopefully, help them acquire a birds-eye view of the daily trials of life.
I recently had a public installation occur in partnership with the City of West Hollywood and I currently have various other projects on my radar.
I’m also developing a series of images I have created based on my sculptures. They will be produced in limited edition silkscreen prints and will make my work, which is often cost prohibitive, available to many more people. I am very excited about this.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maxwellcarraher.com
- Phone: 6266448786
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @maxwellcarraher
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxwellcarraher/
- Twitter: @maxwellcarraher
Image Credit:
Tony Coelho, Tim Sims
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