Michael Van Hout (NC, b. 1953), Large Custom Metalwork Sculpture with Tropical Fish

Assembled of sheet metal with painted application in the form of a coral reef with blue branch coral and a variety of tropical fish, appears unsigned. This Lot includes a custom fitted shelf for display.

Sculpture 45 5/8 x 41 x 14; shelf 4 3/4 x 35 3/4 x 10 3/4 in.

Private Collection, North Carolina

Wilmington, North Carolina artist Michael Van Hout has made significant contributions to the arts in his community including the Airlie Gardens Bottle Chapel, installations for the Fort Fisher Aquarium, and leading courses for children at the Dreams Center. Van Hout found his career as a sculptor in college while working for the grounds crew. He would collect the wires that bound pine straw bails and construct figures out of them. His enjoyment in the craft led him to declare a BSA in sculpture.

Today, he creates sculptures organically in his studio, using a variety of media. His sculptures are often in motion and embrace a fascination with animals, anatomy, and nostalgia.

A few small areas of paint rubbing to coral branches; the shelf with a few small cracks and stains

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