“Segment Jewelry Box on Pedestal,” 2017

James Bearden
“Segment Jewelry Box on Pedestal”
American, 2017

Patinated steel with 24-karat gold leaf and fused bronze, copper, and glass enamel. Executed in Bearden’s distinctive sculptural vocabulary, the present work combines heavily textured industrial surfaces with richly luminous passages of color and metallic contrast. The compartmentalized top, animated by radiating and cellular forms, recalls both architectural fragments and organic structures, balancing raw materiality with refined craftsmanship.

Known for his highly tactile metalwork and deeply process-driven approach, Bearden creates compositions that blur the line between sculpture, design, and functional object. His surfaces possess an archaeological quality, with layered patination and fused materials producing exceptional depth and visual complexity. The elevated pedestal form further reinforces the object’s sculptural presence while maintaining the intimacy of scale associated with personal objects and boxes.

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.