JOSEPH WARREN: FOUND OBJECT METAL SCULPTURE    Sep 2 - Oct 2, 2010

Joseph Warren, originally from Boston, Massachusetts, was studying for a creative writing degree when he viewed a brilliant found object sculpture of a centaur at a University of Oregon student art gallery. He became so inspired that he switched his studies to welded sculpture at Portland Community College. His many welded animal sculptures are a direct result of his constant search for old steel tools and scrap steel parts found in defunct mining camps and open scrap yards, resale stores, yard and estate sales. His re-use of steel scraps diverts thousands of pounds of the countless tons of steel odds and ends from our waste stream and arranges them to function anew.

A nature lover, Joe typically welds his rusty treasures into favored fauna: horses, elk, eagles, a giraffe and a growing number of people's pets. For his latest work he wanted to challenge himself with a human form, but also wanted to explore horse poses. Thus he ended up with a centaur drawing back his bow which will be included in this exhibit.