"THE VISIONARY"

The Gem Sculpture features
 a carved Head in profile, gazing into the future.
 Some of the facial features
 are placed strategically utilizing
 the natural coloration of the Agate.
 The frontal facial features
 are carved on edge of the slab
 to create the 3-D effect.

The sculpture is the result
 of my continuous quest for
 aesthetic balance and the sense of sculptural space
 generated by visually two-dimensional carvings,
 "frozen snapshots" in time.
 It also features the combination
 of Sterling Silver and gem materials,
 where the metal is a vital part of the sculpture. 

Overall Dimensions: 27cm H (10.5")

 Agate Head: 1,666 carats [333.20 grams]

          Dimensions: 24 cm x 12.5 cm x 0.5 cm (9.6" H x 5" W x 3/16")

White Drusy Quartz (Colorado): 866.0 grams

14.5 cm x 12.5 cm x 2.5 cm (5.5? x 5? x 1?)

Sterling Silver: 145.7 grams

    7cm W x 5cm H x 1.5 cm (2.5" x 2" x 5/8")

Photos bPhotos by M J Colella

The carving and polishing of this large slab was a challenge, 
with the danger at all timesthat the slab might break
 and ruin the entire sculpture!  
Another challenge, that took several months of pre-planning 
and deciding on a carving strategy, 
was the balancing of the slab vertically
into the White Drusy Quartz

   
                                                                                 Photo by Andrew Herman

Carving the wax for the base was also time consuming!
 Selecting the perfect combination,
 making sure the wax was completely flat inside 
so that the agate slab would slide in,
 and making sure that the weight balance was correct,
 so that the slab would stand perfectly vertical
 were just a few of the challenges...!  
 

What are these lines engraved in my sculptures?
"
'They are the construction lines, the base of the creation,
bounding the various focal points.
These lines are engraved pursuing a continuous movement
of shapes and contour,
creating light and shadow, and giving dimension to the sculpture.
Tracing their continuous movement gives the correct shape
and position of each form.
These same lines are the highlight of my most recent works."
 

? Serras-Herman is probably one of the most extensively trained artists
working in gem carving in North America-- and it shows in her work??.
Coming to gem carving from the vantage point of large-scale sculpture,
Helen Serras-Herman creates miniature masterpieces
underscored by centuries of art history."

-- Cathleen McCarthy
 
 
 
 

All text and images on this website are Copyright © 2003-2006
to the Gem Art Center and Helen Serras-Herman.
All rights are reserved. No part of this website can be used or
reproduced in any way, anywhere, without the written permission
of the artist and author Helen Serras-Herman.
Page last updated 08/12/06.
 
 
 
 
 

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