Kari von Wening: Playing with Metal

Metal sculptor Kari von Wening started with Intaglio printmaking but was so drawn to the zinc plates that she began riveting used ones together to form sculptural objects. Not satisfied, she searched for more flexible options, eventually fixing on scrap metal to get more choices in surface texture, color, and form.

The process entails carving out shapes with a plasma cutter (an electric torch), then welding these pieces together. Sometimes, I add acid to further enhance the rusting process. I then add color by the layering of inks and spraying acrylic enamels. The fine-tuning comes with Stabillo pencils. I seal each piece with a clear acrylic coating to keep it in an arrested state of decay and to preserve the color. -Artist statement

Von Wening’s moths are the focus of this post, but she also does musical instruments, clothing, metal paintings, bark and leaves. The California-based artist has an M.A. in intaglio and an M.F.A. in sculpture from U.C.L.A.

See more on her website, here.