Joe Walters (American, b. 1952), Five Animals Wall Installation

Mixed media, including modeled polymer clay, polystyrene foam, wire, mesh, sand and pigment.

Largest approximately 5 x 7 x 9 in.

Private Collection, Bethania, North Carolina

Joe Walters creates site-specific installations of visual complexity and beauty which metaphorically address issues involving human relationships with nature. Although his work is based on organic forms, taken as a whole the artist considers his work as abstract compositions. Elements such as birds, branches, fallen leaves, flowers, seedpods, aquatic life, etc. are carefully chosen elements that are ordered into grand sculptural installations structured within spiral and geometric forms. When viewed from various vantage points, the "interwoven" sculptures and the shadows they project against the wall create a luminous, tapestry-like effect reinforcing Walters' theme of the interdependence of all living things.

Joe Walters brings over 30 years of experience in sculpture and design to his unique wall installations. His work can be found in prestigious museum, corporate, public, and private collections nationally and internationally, including Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, Georgia; Albrech-Kemper Museum of Modern Art, St. Joseph, Missouri; AON Center, Chicago, Illinois; Astellas Pharma US, Deerfield, Illinois; Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina; among many others.

Born in Kentucky 1952, he now resides in his home/studio on James Island just outside Charleston, South Carolina with his wife, artist and poet Kit Loney. Joe graduated in 1981 with an MFA from East Carolina University. He also studied as a visiting graduate student at the University of Kentucky (1977-78), and participated in a study abroad program at the University of Georgia in Cortona, Italy.

Some small areas of surface loss; wing of one bird with area of loss to wing tip.