Crafting Colorful Wall Sculptures from Recycled Industrial Models

After thirty years of sculpting figurative work in ceramic clay, I found myself intrigued with a totally new artistic challenge: creating large, three dimensional abstract paintings or colorful wall sculptures from recycled industrial patterns.

As a sculptor, I am drawn to interesting shapes and materials. When I visited the patternmaking (also called modelmaking) business of my father and brother, I was fascinated with the forms they made for various manufactured objects, such as rocket and airplane parts, lamp bases, kitchen pots, auto engines, anything made of cast metal. Several years ago I noticed the growing pile of wood patterns that were discarded after being returned from the foundry where they had been used to make metal castings. I decided that I could recycle these interesting discarded wood shapes and make them into sculptures.

I begin by stripping the original paints or stains from these wooden models, some of which are over 50 years old. After choosing a few of them to arrange in a pleasing design on a plywood background, I decide on a color scheme and sand and paint the background and the wood patterns. Then I drill holes in the patterns and the background plywood so they can be attached with long wood screws. I line-up the holes, put glue between the wooden model and the plywood base, and screw long screws from under the plywood base. I also attach a hanging system that can easily be used on any standard sheet rock wall.

I am happy to be recycling these once useful parts of the manufacturing process into an exciting group of artworks, each totally unique in composition, color and feeling.

Janet Fullmer Bajorek

Joseph A. Fullmer, Patternmaker

Discarded Wood Patterns

Joseph D. Fullmer, Patternmaker

The true impact of these three dimensional abstract wall sculptures can only be appreciated when viewed in person.

These video clips are only meant to give you an idea of the experience.

Videos of Wall Art