“Meteor Storm” Screen, 2019

James Bearden (b. 1964)
“Meteor Storm” Screen
American, 2019

Composed of torch-cut and polychromed steel, fused bronze, solvent dyes, and glass enamel, the sculpture consists of a field of slender vertical rods surmounted by iridescent, molten-like forms suggestive of celestial fragments suspended in motion. Both sculptural and architectural in conception, the work combines remarkable visual lightness with a strong spatial presence. Slight movement activates the composition, producing a subtle resonance reminiscent of chimes.

An elongated variation of Bearden’s “Meteor Storm” series, the present work functions equally effectively as a freestanding sculpture or as a screen or room divider. The rhythmic arrangement of vertical elements creates shifting transparencies and changing visual density depending on viewpoint and light, giving the work a dynamic and constantly evolving presence within an interior.

Particularly effective in contemporary architectural spaces, the sculpture introduces movement, texture, and an atmospheric quality without overwhelming its surroundings. Its open construction allows it to define space while maintaining visual permeability, making it especially versatile in both residential and commercial settings.

Bio:
James Bearden (American, b. 1964) is an abstract sculptor whose work explores the intersection of sculpture, architecture, and functional design. Working primarily in metal, Bearden has produced a number of ongoing series, including Cathedral, Assemblage, Voids, and Lunar Blooms. His work is held in corporate, municipal, and prominent private collections.

PROVENANCE
Acquired from the artist.

REFERENCE
¹ Exhibited: New York Design Center, The Gallery at 200 Lex, James Anthony Bearden: Technical and Aesthetic Revelations, January 10–February 25, 2020.

LITERATURE
² See also: L. Weinberg, “Bold and Beautiful: Brutalism Is Making a Star of James Bearden,” Interior Design, January 2017.
³ See also: T. McKeough, “Experience James Bearden’s Primal Metalwork,” 1stDibs Introspective, February 6, 2017.
⁴ See also: V. L. Ingham, “The Brutal World of James Bearden,” dsm magazine, May–June 2017.