Specimens...

a small selection from my worldly wanderings....

Drip, drip, drip

 'Burst' ( in process)     Barbara De Pirro

  'Ripple' ( in process)     Barbara De Pirro

In a recent exhibit, 'Art of the Garden' at Schack Art Center, I introduced several new sculptures but these two specifically use a new technique of dripping color down the surface.

Theses are just a few images showing the process.

More info & images about the exhibit, HERE & HERE.

  'Burst' ( in process)     Barbara De Pirro

'Ripple' ( in process)     Barbara De Pirro

EVEN the color run off inspires me!

a study in texture

I'm always on the look out for texture!

My camera is my favorite tool no matter where I roam.   

I have found that not only is there value in the full color image but...

when I convert my images into black & white that is when the patterns really jump out.

Using a basic photo editing program on my computer, I tweak the contrast & sometimes even switch to the negative version.

From this vast resource I discover designs that ultimately are translated into patterns for all my artwork, printmaking, painting ... yes, even sculpture & installation.

Here are several examples of my process....

 

 

 

 

 

in the studio: 'flora plastica'

'flora plastica'    Barbara De Pirro

Since last November, I’ve been madly crocheting through mind-boggling mountains of brilliantly, colored plastic bags. Averaging about 6-8 hours a day, hundreds ...eeek nearly two thousand hours...crocheting through the same number of bags. My challenge was to transform this invasive, synthetic material into a floral extravaganza, titled ‘flora plastica’*.

This site-specific sculpture will initially be suspended within the Tacoma Art Museum's entry atrium in celebration of ‘Flora & Fine Art’. In the lobby for a month, then mid July it will be re-installed, settling into a new space also within the Museum.

'flora plastica' (in process) Barbara De Pirro

I arrived at the museum with 4 five gallon containers packed full of the completed sculpture and 2 large 're-useable' bags stuffed with all finishing materials and tools.  The museum was closed to the general public which allowed me the space to spill out onto the lobby floor.

'flora plastica' (in process)       Barbara De Pirro

Although the initial installation would be suspended 14 feet across the museums entry atrium, after 1 month, it would re-installed into a secondary spot....details to be determined.  Keeping this in mind, I designed it in strands or individual components.  This would allow it to take on various forms, adapting to different situations.

'flora plastica' (in process)       Barbara De Pirro

These individual strands were threaded onto 1/8" airplane cable, able to securely withstand its full weight.  If you look closely you can see that between each strand I strung a 1/4" bead to help maintain spacing even after gravity had its time to play.

 

'flora plastica' (in process)      Barbara De Pirro

Centering the piece within the 14 foot span, each side was finished off with vine, leaves, pods and bee hives.

Special thanks to Museum Preparators

Cyrus Smith and Jeremy Mangan

It took all three of us to hoist it onto the lift

and four art 'Genies' to install !!

'flora plastica'      Barbara De Pirro

Special thanks to Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Garden Club

…and of course, all my friends & family for providing me with this plastic abundance and for all your fantastic support!

*'flora plastica' was commissioned by Tacoma Art Museum and Tacoma Garden Club.

in the studio: roots & vines

.....taking inspiration from natures invasive ivy vines strangling and rooting into this grand old tree, I've recreated this in my recent sculptures and installations, both outside & in.

'roots & vines: plastica' Barbara De Pirro

2010 Carkeek Park, curated by CoCA Seattle.

'roots & vines: plastica' (detail) Barbara De Pirro

2010 Carkeek Park, curated by CoCA Seattle.

'roots & vines: plastica' Barbara De Pirro

Matzke Sculpture Park, Camano Island, WA

(Funding for 'roots &vines:plastica' was made possible by

Artist Trust Grants for Artist Projects (GAP) and CoCA Seattle)

'roots & vines' Barbara De Pirro

crocheted fiber encapsulated in acrylic, reinforced with steel and wood

more images here

in the studio: ice

What begins as a humble disc of ice precariously balanced

within the branches of an apple tree,

translates into this unexpected sculptural detail
representing ice, honey or amber.

'fractured'       Barbara De Pirro

(acrylic encapsulated styrene & steel)

'unearthed'      Barbara De Pirro

(crocheted fiber encapsulated in acrylic & steel)